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CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  II. 


PAGB 


XCI.  The  King  of  the  Golden  Mountain, 

9 

XCII.  The  Raven, 

17 

XCIII.  Old  Hildebrand, 

23 

XCIY.  The  Water  of  Life,  .... 

27 

XCV.  The  Spirit  in  the  Bottle, 

34 

XCVI.  The  Two  Wanderers,  .... 

40 

XOVII.  The  Experienced  Huntsman,  . . 

52 

XCVIII.  Professor  Know-All,  .... 

59 

XCIX.  Bearskin, 

62 

C.  The  Wren  and  the  Bear,  . . . 

68 

Cl.  The  Sweet  Soup, 

71 

CI1.  The  Faithful  Beasts,  .... 

72 

CIII.  Three  Little  Tales  about  Toads,  . 

77 

CIV.  The  Poor  Miller’s  Son  and  the  Cat, 

79 

CV.  Hans  the  Hedgehog,  .... 

83 

CVI.  The  Child’s  Grave,  .... 

89 

CVII.  The  Jew  among  Thorns, 

90 

CVIII.  The  Flail  which  came  from  the  Clouds, 

96 

CIX.  The  Goose  Girl, 

98 

CX.  The  Two  Kings’  Children,  . 

105 

CXI.  The  Valiant  Tailor,  .... 

113 

CXII.  The  Blue  Light,  . . . . . 

117 

CXIII.  The  Three  Army  Surgeons, 

122 

CXIV.  The  Seven  Swabians,  .... 

125 

CXV.  The  Three  Journeymen, 

128 

CXVI.  Ferdinand  the  Faithful  and  Ferdinand  the 

Unfaithful, 

132 

CXVII.  The  Shoes  which  were  Danced  to  Pieces, 

137 

CXVIII.  The  Three  Brothers,  .... 

142 

CXIX.  The  Bright  Sun  brings  on  the  Day, 

144 

CXX.  The  Prince  who  was  afraid  of  Nothing, 

146 

CXXI.  The  Evil  Spirit  and  his  Grandmother, 

152 

CXXII.  The  Idle  Spinner,  .... 

156 

VI 


Contents. 


y*G* 


CXXIII. 

The  Four  Accomplished  Brothers, 

159 

CXXIV. 

The  Donkey  Cabbages,  . 

164 

cxxv. 

Little  One-Eye,  Little  Two-Eyes, 

and  Little 

Three-Eyes, 

172 

CXXVI. 

The  Fair  Catherine  and  Pif-Paf  Poltrie 

180 

CXXVII. 

The  Fox  and  the  Horse, 

182 

CXXVIII. 

The  Six  Servants,  . 

184 

CXXIX. 

The  Old  Woman  in  the  Wood, 

192 

CXXX. 

The  White  and  the  Black  Bride, 

. 195 

CXXXI. 

The  Man  of  Iron,  . 

. 200 

CXXXII. 

The  Three  Black  Princesses,  . 

209 

CXXXIII. 

Knoist  and  his  Three  Sons,  . 

. 211 

CXXXIV. 

The  Iron  Stove, 

. 212 

cxxxv. 

The  Maid  of  Brakel, 

. 218 

CXXXVI. 

The  Little  Lamb  and  the  Little  Fish, 

. 219 

CXXXVII. 

Simeli-Mountain, 

. 221 

CXXXVIII. 

Going  Out  a-travelling,  . . 

. 224 

CXXXIX. 

The  Little  Ass, 

. 226 

CXL. 

The  Old  Griffin,  . 

. 230 

CXLI. 

Snow-White  and  Rose-Bed,  . 

. 233 

CXLII. 

The  Family  Servants, 

. 246 

CXLIII. 

The  Turnip,  .... 

. 247 

CXLIV. 

The  Hen  Roost, 

. 251 

CXLV. 

The  Old  Beggar-Woman, 

. 252 

CXLVI. 

The  Three  Sluggards, 

. 253 

CXLV  II. 

The  Little  Shepherd  Boy, 

. 254 

CXLV  III. 

The  Undutiful  Son,  . . 

. 256 

CXLIX. 

Star  Dollars,  . . . . 

. 257 

CL. 

The  Stolen  Farthings,  . . 

. 258 

CLI. 

The  Bride-Choosing, 

. 260 

cm. 

The  Shreds,  .... 

. 261 

CLIII. 

The  Sparrow  and  his  Four  Children, 

. 262 

CLIV. 

The  Tale  of  Sehlauraffenland, 

. 265 

CLV. 

The  Lying  Tale, 

. 267 

CLVI. 

A Puzzling  Tale,  . . . 

. 268 

CL  VII. 

Wise  Hans,  .... 

. 269 

CLVIII. 

The  Glass  Coffin,  . . . 

. 270 

CLIX. 

Lazy  Harry,  .... 

. 277 

CLX. 

Strong  Hans,  .... 

. 280 

CLXI. 

Lean  Betty,  .... 

. 288 

CLXII. 

The  House  in  the  Wood,  . 

. 290 

CLXIII. 

Love  and  Sorrow  to  Share, 

. 296 

CLXIV. 

King  Wren,  .... 

. 29S 

CLXV. 

The  Sole, 

. 801 

CLXVI. 

The  Bittern  and  the  Hoopoe,  . 

. 302 

CLXVII. 

The  Owl,  ..... 

. 808 

Contents. 


vii 

PASS 

CLXVIII.  Misfortune, 806 

CLXIX.  The  Duration  of  Life, 307 

CLXX.  Death’s  Messengers, 309 

CLXXI.  Master  Cobblersawl, 311 

CLXXII.  The  Nix  in  the  Pond, 316 

CLXXIII.  The  Presents  of  the  Little  Folk, 323 

CLXXIV.  The  Giant  and  the  Tailor, 326 

CLXXV.  The  Goose-Girl  at  the  Well,  ......  329 

CLXXVI.  The  Nail, 341 

CLXXVII.  The  Poor  Boy  in  the  Grave,  ......  342 

CLXXVIII.  The  True  Bride, 346 

CLXXIX.  The  Hare  and  the  Hedgehog, 354 

CLXXX.  The  Spindle,  the  Shuttle,  and  the  Needle,  ....  358 

CLXXXI.  The  Countryman  and  the  Evil  Spirit, 362 

CLXXXII.  The  Bobber  and  his  Sons, 364 

CLXXXIII.  The  Master-Thief, 378 

CLXXXIV.  The  Drummer, 382 

CLXXXV.  The  Ears  of  Wheat, 393 

CLXXXVI.  The  Grave-Mound, 894 

CLXXXVII.  Old  Einkrank, 399 

OLXXXVIII.  The  Ball  of  Crystal, 402 

CLXXXIX.  J ungfrau  Maleen, 406 

CXC.  The  Boots  made  of  Buffalo-Leather, 418 

CHILDREN’S  LEGENDS. 

CXCI.  Joseph  in  the  Forest, 418 

CXC1I.  Humility  and  Poverty  lead  to  Heaven,  ....  422 

CXCIII.  The  Three  Green  Twigs, 424 

CXCIY.  The  Old  Widow, 427 

CXCV.  The  Golden  Key, 429 

CXCVI.  The  Bose, 430 


ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  VOLUME  II. 


The  Two  Wanderers,  . 

The  Goose  Girl,  . 

The  Three  Brothers,  . . 

The  Man  of  Iron, 
Snow-White  and  Rose-Red, 
The  House  in  the  Wood, 
The  Nix  in  the  Pond,  . 

The  Master-Thief, 


. 50 

. . . 101 
. 143 
. 207 

(Frontispiece.)  240 
. . . 293 

. . . 816 

. 877 


(irimras  pffttSfjmlir  Stories. 


XCI. 


The  King  of  the  Golden  Mountain. 

CERTAIN  merchant  had  two  children,  a 
boy  and  a girl,  who,  at  the  time  our  tale 
begins,  were  both  so  little  that  they  could 
not  run  alone.  This  merchant  had  just 
sent  away  two  richly-laden  vessels  in 
which  he  had  embarked  all  his  property, 
and,  while  he  hoped  to  gain  much 
money  by  their  voyage,  the  news 
came  that  both  ships  had  sunk  to 
the  bottom  of  the  sea.  Thus  instead  of  a 
rich  merchant  he  became  a poor  man,  and  he  had 
nothing  left  but  a field  near  the  town  where  he  dwelt,  and 
therein,  to  divert  his  thoughts  for  a while  from  his  loss,  he 
went  to  walk.  While  he  paced  to  and  fro  there  suddenly 
appeared  a little  black  Dwarf,  who  asked  him  the  reason  of 
his  sorrowful  looks,  and  what  he  took  so  much  to  heart  ? 
vol.  n. — 1* 


10  G-rihm’s  Household  Stories. 

“ If  you  are  able  to  help  me,”  said  the  Merchant,  “ I 
will  tell  you.” 

“Who  knows,”  replied  the  Dwarf,  “whether  I can  or 
no?” 

So  then  the  Merchant  told  him  what  had  happened  : 
how  all  his  wealth  was  sunk  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and 
nothing  remained  to  him  but  this  one  field. 

“Do  not  grieve  yourself  any  longer,”  said  the  Dwarf; 
“for,  if  you  will  promise  to  bring  me  here  in  twelve  years, 
whatever  first  rubs  itself  against  your  leg  on  your  return 
home,  you  shall  have  all  the  money  you  can  require.” 
The  Merchant  thought  it  would  be  his  dog  who  would 
meet  him  first,  for  he  remembered  not,  just  then,  his  chil- 
dren, so  he  gave  the  little  black  Man  his  word  and  honour 
to  the  bargain,  and  returned  to  his  home. 

Just  as  he  came  within  sight  of  the  house  his  little  Boy 
saw  him,  and  was  so  glad  that  he  waddled  up  to  him  and 
clasped  him  by  the  knees.  The  Father  was  frightened,  for 
his  promise  occurred  to  him,  and  he  knew  now  what  he 
had  sworn  to  ; but  still,  as  he  found  no  money  in  his  cof- 
fers, he  imagined  it  was  only  a joke  on  the  part  of  the 
Dwarf.  A month  afterwards,  however,  he  went  on  his  land 
to  seek  for  anything  he  could  find  to  sell,  and  there  he  saw 
a great  heap  of  gold.  Now  was  he  again  prosperous,  and 
bought  and  sold  and  became  a great  merchant,  as  he  had 
been  before.  Meanwhile  his  Boy  grew  up  clever  and  sen- 
sible, and  the  nearer  he  came  to  the  age  of  twelve  years 
the  sadder  became  his  Father,  till  people  could  see  the 
traces  of  his  anguish  in  his  countenance.  One  day  the  Son 
asked  him  what  was  amiss;  the  Father  would  not  tell  him 
at  first,  but  at  last  he  related  how  he  had  sold  him  without 
knowing  it  to  a little  black  Dwarf  for  a heap  of  money,  and 
how  he  had  set  his  seal  and  name  to  the  bargain,  so  that 
when  twelve  years  had  passed  he  must  deliver  him  up. 
“My  Father,”  answered  the  Son,  “do  not  be  sorry  about 


The  Kura  of  the  Golden  Mountain.  11 

such  a matter  ; all  will  yet  go  well,  for  the  Dwarf  can  have 
no  power  over  me.” 

After  this  the  Son  caused  himself  to  be  blessed  by  a 
Priest,  and,  when  the  hour  came,  he  and  his  Father  went 
together  to  the  field,  and  the  Son  drew  a circle  within 
which  they  both  placed  themselves. 

Presently  came  the  black  Dwarf,  and  asked,  “ Have 
you  brought  with  you  what  you  promised?”  The  Father 
was  silent;  but  the  Son  replied,  “What  do  you  want 
here?” 

“ I came  to  speak  with  your  Father,  and  not  with  you,” 
said  the  Dwarf. 

“You  have  deceived  and  betrayed  my  Father,”  said 
the  Son ; “ give  up  the  paper  you  extorted  from  him.” 

“ No ! I will  not  surrender  my  rights !”  replied  the 
Dwarf. 

Then  they  consulted  together  for  some  time,  and  at  last 
they  agreed  that  the  Son,  because  he  would  not  obey  the 
Dwarf  and  did  not  any  longer  belong  to  his  Father,  should 
place  himself  in  an  open  boat  which  laid  upon  the  waters, 
and  then  that  his  Father  should  give  the  vessel  a push  that 
it  might  float  whither  it  would.  The  Son,  therefore,  took 
leave  of  his  Father,  and  set  himself  in  the  boat,  which  the 
Father  thereupon  pushed  off;  but,  unhappily,  the  boat 
turned  bottom  upwards  with  the  force  of  the  shock,  and  the 
Father  was  forced  to  return  home  with  the  belief  that  his 
Son  was  dead,  which  grieved  him  sorely. 

But  the  boat  did  not  entirely  sink,  but  floated  quietly 
away,  with  the  Youth  clinging  to  it,  till  at  length  it  touched 
on  an  unknown  land  and  remained  there.  The  youth  then 
scrambled  on  shore,  and  saw,  just  opposite,  a fine  castle, 
towards  which  he  hurried.  As  soon  as  he  entered  he  found 
that  it  was  an  enchanted  palace,  and  he  walked  through 
all  the  rooms,  and  found  them  all  empty,  till  he  came  to 
the  last,  in  which  he  discovered  a snake  curling  itself  round 


12 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


and  round.  This  Snake,  however,  was  an  enchanted 
Maiden,  who  was  overjoyed  to  see  the  youth  enter,  and 
she  said  to  him,  “ Are  you  come  to  deliver  me  ? for  twelve 
years  have  I waited  for  you,  for  this  kingdom  is  enchanted, 
and  you  must  free  it  from  the  spell.” 

“ How  can  I do  that?”  he  asked. 

“ This  night,”  she  replied,  “ twelve  Black  Dwarfs  will 
come,  laden  with  chains  ; and  they  will  ask  you  what  you 
do  here ; but,  mind,  give  them  no  answer,  and  let  them 
do  what  they  will  to  you.  They  will  torment  you,  beat 
and  poke  you  about,  but  let  all  this  happen  without  a word 
on  your  part  and  then  for  twelve  years  they  must  be  off 
again.  The  second  night  twelve  others  will  come,  and  the 
third  night  four-and-twenty,  and  these  last  will  cut  off  your 
head ; but  at  midnight  their  power  passes  away,  and  if 
you  restrain  yourself  till  then,  and  never  speak  a word,  I 
am  saved.  Afterwards  I will  come  to  you  with  a flask 
which  contains  the  water  of  life,  and  with  this  I will  sprin- 
kle you,  that  you  shall  regain  your  breath  and  be  as 
healthy  and  well  as  before.” 

“ I will  save  you  willingly,”  he  replied. 

Now  everything  happened  as  the  Snake  said.  The 
Black  Dwarfs  failed  to  compel  him  to  speak,  and  the  third 
night  the  Maiden  became  disenchanted,  and  came  with  the 
water  of  life,  as  she  had  said,  to  the  youth,  and  restored 
him  to  life.  Then  the  beautiful  Princess  fell  around  his 
neck  and  kissed  him,  and  through  all  the  castle  there  were 
joy  and  gladness.  Soon  their  wedding  was  celebrated,  and 
the  Merchant’s  Son  became  the  King  of  the  Golden  Moun- 
tain. 

The  happy  pair  lived  in  great  contentment,  and  in 
course  of  time  the  Queen  bore  a son,  and  when  eight  years 
more  had  passed  over  their  heads  the  King  bethought 
himself  of  his  Father,  and  his  heart  was  so  touched  with 
the  recollection  that  he  wished  to  revisit  him.  The  Queen 


The  King  of  the  Golden  Mountain. 


13 


would  not  at  first  hear  about  such  a thing,  but  he  talked 
of  it  so  often  that  at  length  she  was  obliged  to  consent,  and 
said,  “ I know  the  journey  will  cause  misfortune  to  me.” 
At  his  departure  she  gave  him  a wishing-ring,  and  said, 
“ Take  this  ring  and  wear  it  on  your  finger,  and  then, 
wherever  you  wish  to  be  there  you  will  find  yourself ; but 
this  you  must  promise  me,  that  you  will  not  wish  me  to 
leave  here  to  visit  your  Father’s  house.” 

The  King  promised,  and,  putting  the  ring  on  his  fin- 
ger, he  wished  himself  before  the  town  where  his  father 
dwelt.  At  the  same  moment  he  found  himself  there,  and 
tried  to  go  into  the  town,  but  as  he  came  to  the  gate  the 
guards  would  not  let  him  pass,  because  he  wore  clothes  so 
peculiar,  and  so  rich  and  magnificent.  Thereupon  he 
climbed  up  a hill  where  a shepherd  was  watching  sheep, 
and  with  him  he  changed  clothes,  and  thus  passed  into 
the  town  unquestioned  in  the  rough  smock.  When  he 
came  to  his  father’s  house  he  was  not  recognised,  and  the 
merchant  would  not  believe  it  was  his  son,  but  said  he  cer- 
tainly once  had  a son,  but  that  he  had  been  dead  some 
years.  Still,  because  he  saw  he  was  a poor  thirsty  shep- 
herd, he  willingly  gave  him  a plate  of  food.  At  last  the 
Youth  asked  his  parents,  “Do  you  know  of  any  mark  on 
my  body  whereby  you  will  recognise  me,  for  indeed  I am 
your  true  son  ?” 

“Yes,”  said  the  Mother;  “our  son  had  a mole-spot  un- 
der his  arm.” 

Instantly  he  drew  his  shirt  back  from  his  arm,  and 
there  they  saw  the  mole-spot,  so  that  they  no  longer 
doubted  that  he  was  their  son.  Then  he  told  them  that  he 
was  King  of  the  Golden  Mountain,  and  had  a beautiful 
princess  for  his  wife,  and  a child  seven  years  old.  But  the 
merchant  laughed  at  his  son,  saying,  “ Never  can  this  be 
true ! Here  is  a fine  King  indeed,  who  comes  here  in  a 
ragged  shepherd’s  smock !” 

B 


14 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


This  made  the  son  very  angry ; and, without  considera- 
tion, he  turned  round  his  ring  and  wished  both  his  child 
and  wife  were  with  him.  In  a moment  they  appeared ; 
but  the  Queen  wept,  and  complained  that  he  had  broken 
his  promise,  and  made  her  unlucky.  The  King  told  her 
he  had  done  it  without  thought  and  with  no  bad  intention  ; 
and  she  appeared  to  be  reconciled,  but,  in  reality,  she  had 
evil  in  her  heart. 

After  a while  he  took  her  to  the  field,  out  of  the  town, 
and  showed  her  the  water  where  his  boat  had  been  over- 
turned, and  there,  feeling  tired,  he  said  to  her,  “ I am 
weary  ; so  rest  yourself  awhile,  and  I will  lay  my  head  in 
your  lap  and  go  to  sleep.”  He  did  so,  and  the  Queen 
waited  quietly  till  he  was  sound  asleep,  and  then  she 
drew  the  ring  off  his  finger,  and  carefully  laid  his  head  on 
the  ground.  Thereupon  she  took  her  child  in  her  arms, 
and  wished  herself  back  in  her  kingdom.  When,  then,  the 
King  awoke,  he  found  himself  all  alone,  his  wife  and  child 
gone,  and  the  ring  from  his  finger  too.  “ Home  to  your 
parents,”  said  he  to  himself,  “you  cannot  go;  they  will  say 
you  are  a magician  ; so  you  must  travel  about  till  }?ou 
come  again  to  your  kingdom.”  With  these  thoughts  he 
raised  his  courage,  and  by-and-by  came  to  a mountain, 
before  which  three  Giants  stood,  and  contended  with  each 
other,  because  they  knew  not  how  to  share  their  paternal 
inheritance.  As  soon  as  they  saw  the  young  man  passing 
by,  they  called  to  him  and  said,  “ Come ! little  men  have 
often  wise  heads : you  shall  divide  our  patrimony.” 

Now,  this  inheritance  consisted,  firstly,  of  a sword, 
which  if  one  took  into  his  hand  and  said,  “ Heads  off  all 
round,  but  not  mine !”  instantly  every  head  near  lay  on 
the  ground  ; secondly,  of  a cloak  which  rendered  its  wearer 
invisible  ; and  thirdly,  of  a pair  of  boots  which  were  ca- 
pable of  taking  their  wearer  wherever  he  wished.  The 
youth  therefore  said,  “ Give  me  these  three  things,  that  I 


The  King  of  the  Golden  Mountain.  15 

may  prove  them  whether  they  are  in  good  order  or  not.” 
So  they  gave  him  the  cloak,  and  as  soon  as  he  put  it  on 
he  became  invisible,  in  the  form  of  a fly.  He  soon  took 
his  old  form  again  and  said,  “ The  cloak  is  good  ; now  give 
me  the  sword.”  “Oh,  no!”  said  the  Giants,  “we  do  not 
give  you  that;  for  if  you  should  say,  ‘Heads  off,  all  round, 
^but  not  mine  !’  all  our  heads  would  fall  off,  and  you  alone 
would  have  one.”  Still  they  gave  it  him  on  condition 
that  he  should  prove  it  on  a tree.  This  he  did,  and  the 
sword  cut  the  trunk  in  two  as  if  it  were  a straw.  Then 
he  wished  to  have  the  boots,  but  the  Giants  said,  “ Ho,  we 
do  not  give  them  away  ; for  if  you  should  pull  Them  on, 
and  wish  yourself  on  the  summit  of  this  mountain,  we 
may  stand  here  without  anything !”  But  the  youth  said 
that  he  would  not  do  that,  and  so  they  gave  him  the  boots, 
and,  as  he  had  now  all  three  things,  he  thought  of  nothing 
but  his  wife  and  child ; and  he  said,  “ Ah ! were  I upon 
the  Golden  Mountain !”  Immediately  he  disappeared  from 
the  sight  of  the  Giants,  and  thus  divided  their  inheritance. 
As  he  came  near  his  castle  he  heard  great  rejoicings,  and 
the  notes  of  flutes  and  fiddles,  and  the  people  told  him 
that  his  consort  was  about  to  celebrate  her  wedding  with 
another  husband.  This  put  him  in  a passion,  and  he  ex- 
claimed, “ The  false  wretch  ! she  has  deceived  and  left  me 
while  I slept!”  Then  he  put  on  the  cloak  and  rendered 
himself  invisible  while  he  entered  the  castle,  and  in  the 
hall  he  saw  a large  table  spread  out  with  costly  delicacies, 
and  guests  eating  and  drinking,  singing  and  laughing.  In 
the  middle  sat  the  Queen,  dressed  in  royal  clothes,  upon  a 
magnificent  throne,  with  a crown  upon  her  head.  The 
true  King  placed  himself  behind  her;  but  nobody  saw 
him ; and  when  they  placed  meat  upon  her  plate  he  took 
it  up  and  ate  it  himself ; and  each  glass  of  wine  which  was 
handed  to  her  he  drank  out,  and  so  it  went  on : neither 
plate  nor  glass  stayed  in  its  place,  each  one  disappeared  in 


16 


Grimm's  Household  Stories. 


a moment.  This  disturbed  the  Queen  very  much,  and  put 
her  to  shame,  so  that  at  length  she  got  up,  and  went  to  her 
own  chamber  to  weep ; but  here  also  he  followed  her. 
There  she  called  out,  “Is -this  the  devil  who  persecutes 
me  ? or  did  my  deliverer  never  come  ?”  At  these  words  he 
struck  her  on  the  cheek  and  cried,  “ Did  thy  deliverer 
never  come  ? He  is  beside  thee,  thou  traitress ! Have  I 
deserved  this  of  thee?”  Then  be  rendered  bimself  visible 
again,  and,  going  into  the  hall,  he  cried,  “ The  wedding  is 
over ! the  true  King  is  come !”  Then  the  kings,  princes, 
and  counsellors,  who  were  assembled,  mocked  him  and 
jeered  him  ; but  he  gave  them  short  answers,  and  asked, 
“ Will  you  be  off  or  not  ?”  Then  they  tried  to  catch  and 
imprison  him ; but  he  drew  his  sword,  and  said,  “ Heads 
off,  all  round,  but  not  mine !”  So  all  their  heads  rolled 
down  the  hill,  and  he  was  left  master  alone,  and  became 
once  more  “ King  of  the  Golden  Mountain.” 


XCII. 

The  Raven. 


fXNCE  upon  a time  there  was  a Queen  who  had  a 
daughter  so  small  that  she  was  carried  about  on 
people’s  arms,  and  one  day  the  child  was  so  naughty  that, 
spite  of  all  the  mother  said,  she  would  not  be  quiet.  At 
last  the  Queen  lost  all  patience,  and,  because  the  ravens 
were  then  flying  about  the  palace,  she  opened  the  window 
and  said,  “I  wish  you  were  a raven,  and  could  fly  away, 
and  then  I should  have  some  peace !”  Scarcely  had  she 
said  the  words  when  the  child  changed  into  a raven,  and 
flew  away  off  her  arm  out  at  the  window,  and  away  into  a 
dark  forest,  where  she  remained  a long  time,  and  the 
parents  heard  nothing  about  her. 

Some  little  time  afterwards  a man,  while  travelling 
along,  found  himself  in  this  wood,  and  there  he  heard  the 
Raven  cry,  and  he  went  after  the  sound.  As  he  came  near, 
the  Raven  said  to  him,  “ I am  a princess  by  birth,  and  am 
bewitched ; but  you  can  deliver  me  from  the  charm.” 

“ What  can  I do,  then  ?”  he  asked. 

“Go  on  further  into  the  wood,”  she  replied,  “and  you 
will  find  a house  wherein  sits  an  old  woman,  who  will  offer 
you  meat  and  drink  ; but  do  not  venture  to  take  anything, 
for  if  you  do  you  will  fall  into  a deep  sleep,  and  fail  to 
free  me.  In  the  garden  behind  this  house  is  a large  heap 
of  tan,  whereon  you  must  stand  and  wait  for  me.  For 
three  days  I shall  come  at  two  o’clock,  in  a carriage  drawn, 
the  first  time,  by  four  white  horses,  then  by  four  red,  and 
lastly  by  four  black ; and  if  you  are  asleep  when  I come 
you  will  not  rescue  me  ; so  you  must  mind  to  keep  awake.” 
The  man  promised  to  do  all  that  she  desired ; but  the 


18 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Raven  said,  “Ah ! but  I know  well  you  will  not  deliver 
me,  for  you  will  take  something  from  the  old  woman.” 
The  man  promised  again  he  would  not  touch  either  the 
meat  or  drink,  and  then  he  went  on,  and,  when  he  came 
to  the  house  and  entered,  the  old  woman  met  him,  and  said 
to  him,  “ Poor  man,  how  weary  you  look ! come,  and  re- 
fresh yourself  with  these  dishes.”  But  he  said,  “No,  I 
will  neither  eat  nor  drink.”  Still  she  pressed  him,  saying, 
“ Well,  if  you  will  not  eat,  take  a draught  of  wine;  once 
is  nothing  at  all.”  So  the  man  allowed  himself  to  be  per- 
suaded, and  drank  a little,  and  by-and-by,  when  midnight 
came,  he  went  out  into  the  garden,  on  to  the  tan-heap,  and 
waited  for  the  Raven.  But  while  he  stood  there  he  be- 
came all  at  once  very  tired,  and  could  not  shake  off  the 
feeling,  so  he  laid  down  a bit,  without  venturing  to  sleep. 
However,  he  had  scarcely  stretched  himself  out  when  his 
eyes  closed  of  themselves,  and  he  soon  began  to  snore,  and 
was  so  very  fast  asleep,  that  nothing  on  earth  could  have 
awakened  him.  About  two  o’clock  came  the  Raven, 
drawn  by  four  white  horses,  and  as  she  came  along  she 
felt  assured  she  should  find  the  man  asleep  ; and  so  it  was : 
as  soon  as  she  came  into  the  garden,  she  saw  him  lying  on 
the  tan-heap  fast  asleep.  She  alighted  from  her  carriage, 
went  up  to  him,  shook  him,  and  shouted  to  him ; but  he 
did  not  awake.  The  next  night,  at  twelve,  the  old  woman 
came,  and  brought  the  man  food  and  drink,  but  he  would 
take  nothing,  till  she  pressed  him  so  long  and  left  him  no 
rest  till  at  last  he  took  a long  draught  out  of  the  glass  of 
wine.  About  two  o’clock  he  began  again  to  watch  upon 
the  heap  of  tan  for  the  Raven,  but,  as  before,  he  soon  felt 
so  weary  that  his  legs  would  not  support  him,  and  he  was 
forced  to  lie  down,  and  he  fell  into  a deep  sleep.  TThen 
the  Raven,  therefore,  came  with  her  four  red  horses,  she 
was  in  great  distress,  for  she  had  a presentiment  of  finding 
the  man  asleep,  as  she  did,  and  all  her  efforts  to  awaken 


The-  Raven. 


19 


him  were  in  vain.  The  next  day  the  old  woman  scolded 
the  man  and  said,  “ What  will  happen  if  you  neither  eat 
nor  drink?  you  will  die!”  “I  dare  not,  and  will  not,  eat 
and  drink,”  replied  the  man.  Nevertheless,  the  old  woman 
set  the  dishes  before  him,  and,  the  savour  of  them  was  so 
nice,  he  could  not  resist,  and  he  made  a hearty  meal,  and 
afterwards,  when  the  time  came,  he  went  out  into  the  gar- 
den, and  there  waited  for  the  Princess  upon  the  tan-heap. 
Soon  he  felt  more  weary  than  he  had  ever  been  before,  and 
he  laid  down,  and  went  as  fast  asleep  as  a stone.  About 
two  o’clock  came  the  Raven,  drawn  by  four  black  horses, 
and  the  coach  also  was  black,  and  all  the  harness.  She 
was  already  in  tears,  for  she  knew,  as  she  drove  along,  she 
should  find  the  man  asleep ; and  so  he  was.  She  shook 
him  and  called  to  him,  but  in  vain ; she  could  not  awaken 
him.  So  she  laid  by  him  a loaf  of  bread,  a joint  of  meat, 
and  a bottle  of  wine,  of  which  he  might  take  as  much  as 
he  would,  without  lessening  the  quantity.  Then  she  drew 
a golden  ring  off  her  finger,  and  put  it  on  his  finger,  and 
on  it  her  name  was  engraven.  Lastly,  she  laid  beside  him 
a letter,  wherein  was  stated  what  was  given  to  him ; and 
further  it  said,  “ I see  well  thou  wilt  never  save  me  here ; 
but,  if  thou  yet  desire  to  do  so,  come  to  the  Golden  Castle 
of  Stromberg;  it  is  in  thy  power.”  And  as  soon  as  she 
had  done  all  this  she  placed  herself  in  her  carriage  again, 
and  was  driven  to  this  castle. 

By-and-by  the  man  awoke  and  saw  what  happened, 
and  he  was  sad  at  heart,  for  he  thought,  “ Now  she  has 
gone  away,  and  I have  not  saved  her.”  Then  his  eyes 
lighted  upon  the  things  she  had  left,  and  he  read  the  letter 
which  contained  the  account  of  them.  Soon  he  arose  and 
marched  off  on  his  way  to  the  Golden  Castle  of  Stromberg, 
but  he  recollected  he  did  not  know  where  it  was.  For 
some  time  he  wandered  about  the  world,  and  at  length  he 
came  to  a large  forest,  wherein  for  fourteen  days  he  walked 


20 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


to  and  fro,  and  could  not  get  out.  One  day,  as  evening  came 
on,  he  felt  tired  and  laid  down  in  a thicket  and  went  to 
sleep.  The  next  day  he  walked  still  further,  and  laid  down 
at  night  beneath  another  thicket ; but  there  he  heard  such 
a howling  and  groaning  that  he  could  not  sleep.  When 
the  time  came  that  people  put  out  their  lights  he  saw  a 
lamp  glimmering,  towards  which  he  made  his  way,  and 
there  he  came  to  a house  before  which  stood  a Giant.  But 
he  thought  to  himself,  “ If  I go  in,  and  the  Giant  see  me, 
my  life  is  scarce  worth  counting  on and  with  this  idea 
he  waited  a long  while  before  he  entered.  At  last  he 
ventured,  and  as  soon  as  the  Giant  saw  him,  he  cried,  “ It 
is  well  that  you  have  come,  for  I have  eaten  nothing  for  a 
long  time,  and  you  will  serve  for  my  supper.” 

“ Let  that  be  !”  said  the  man  ; “ I am  not  at  all  willing 
to  be  roasted ; but,  if  you  want  to  eat,  I have  enough  here 
to  satisfy  you  !” 

“ Well,  if  that  is  true,”  said  the  Giant,  “ you  may  rest 
quietly : I only  meant  to  eat  you  because  I had  nothing 
else!”  Thereupon  they  went  in  and  sat  down  to  table, 
and  the  man  produced  bread  and  meat  and  wdne.  “This 
pleases  me  well  enough,”  said  the  Giant ; and  he  ate  to  his 
heart’s  content.  By-and-by  the  man  asked  him,  “ Can  you 
tell  me  where  the  Golden  Castle  of  Stromberg  is  situate  ?” 

“ I will  look  at  my  map,”  replied  the  Giant,  “ whereon 
are  laid  down  all  the  cities,  villages,  and  houses  here- 
abouts.” So  saying,  he  fetched  the  map,  which  he  kept  in 
another  room,  and  looked  for  the  castle,  but  it  was  nowhere 
to  be  found.  “ It  does  not  matter,”  said  the  Giant,  “ I 
have  a still  larger  map  upstairs  in  a closet;”  but  when 
they  looked  over  that  the  name  was  not  to  be  found  there 
either.  The  man  would  then  have  proceeded  further,  but 
the  Giant  begged  him  to  stop  a couple  of  days,  until  his 
brother  returned  who  was  gone  to  seek  for  something  to 
eat.  As  soon  as  the  brother  came  home,  thev  asked  him 


The  Raven. 


21 


after  the  Golden  Castle  of  Stromberg ; but  he  would  not 
talk  about  anything  till  he  had  satisfied  his  hunger,  and 
then  he  mounted  with  them  to  his  chamber,  and  there  they 
searched  all  over  the  map  for  the  castle,  without  success; 
so  then  they  fetched  other  maps,  and  did  not  leave  off 
looking  till  at  last  they  found  the  place ; but  it  was  many 
thousand  miles  away  from  where  they  were.  “Now,  how 
can  I get  there  ?”  asked  the  man. 

“I  have  two  hours  to  spare,”  said  the  Giant,  “and  in 
that  time  I will  carry  you  near  the  castle,  but  I must  then 
return  at  once  and  feed  the  child  we  have.”  So  the  Giant 
took  the  man  within  about  a hundred  miles  of  the  castle, 
and  there  set  him  down,  and  told  him  he  could  easily  go 
the  rest  of  the  way  by  himself.  So  saying,  he  turned 
homewards ; but  the  man  journeyed  on  day  and  night,  till 
at  length  he  arrived  in  sight  of  the  Golden  Castle  of 
Stromberg.  Now,  this  castle  stood  upon  a glass  mountain, 
and  he  could  see  the  Princess  riding  round  in  her  carriage, 
and  then  go  into  the  gate.  At  this  sight  he  felt  very  glad 
and  began  to  mount  up  to  the  place,  but  every  step  he 
took  he  slipped  back  again.  When,  therefore,  he  perceived 
he  could  not  reach  the  Princess,  he  became  very  sorrowful, 
and  said  to  himself,  “ I will  stop  here,  and  wait  upon  her.” 
So  he  built  himself  a hut,  and  for  a whole  year  lived  in  it, 
every  day  seeing  the  Princess  driving  about  up  above 
while  he  was  unable  to  reach  her. 

One  day  he  perceived  from  his  hut  three  robbers  beat- 
ing one  another,  and  he  called  to  them,  “ God  be  with 
you  !”  They  ceased  at  the  voice,  but  when  they  saw  no- 
body they  began  again  to  knock  each  other  about,  so  that 
it  was  quite  dangerous.  Then  he  called  to  them  a second 
time,  “God  be  with  you!”  They  ceased  at  the  word, 
looked  about,  but  saw  nobody,  and  they  began  to  beat  each 
other  again  ; and  so  the  man  exclaimed  for  the  third  time, 
“ God  be  with  you !”  and  went  out  and  asked  the  three 


22 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


combatants  wbat  they  wanted.  The  first  said  be  bad  found 
a stick  wbicb  opened  every  door  against  wbicb  it  was 
struck ; the  second  bad  found  a cloak  wbicb  rendered  its 
wearer  invisible;  but  the  third  had  caught  ahorse  upon 
wbicb  any  one  could  ride  up  the  glass  mountain.  Now, 
they  could  not  agree  whether  they  should  keep  company 
with  one  another,  or  should  separate ; so  the  man  said, 
“ These  three  things  I will  exchange  with  you ; money  cer- 
tainly I have  not,  but  other  things  which  are  more  valu- 
able. Still,  I must  first  have  a trial,  that  I may  see  if  you 
have  spoken  the  truth.”  So  they  let  him  mount  the  horse, 
and  hung  the  cloak  around  him,  and  put  the  stick  into  his 
hand,  and  when  they  had  given  him  all  he  was  invisible 
to  them.  Then  he  gave  them  heavy  blows  upon  the 
shoulders,  and  exclaiming,  “ Now,  you  bear-hunters,  now 
you  have  your  deserts ; be  content  therewith  !”  he  rode  up 
the  glass  mountain,  and  as  he  arrived  before  the  castle 
door  he  found  it  closed.  He,  therefore,  tapped  upon  it 
with  his  stick,  and  immediately  it  flew  open,  and  he 
entered  and  mounted  the  stairs  which  led  to  the  room 
where  the  Princess  sat  with  a golden  cup  full  of  wine 
before  her.  She  could  not  see  him,  because  he  wore 
the  cloak,  and  as  he  came  close  to  her  chair  he  drew  off 
the  ring  which  she  had  given  him,  and  threw  it  into  the 
cup  of  wine,  so  that  it  rang  against  the  side.  Then  she 
exclaimed,  “ That  is  my  ring,  and  the  man  must  also  be 
here  who  will  deliver  me !”  and  she  made  a search  for 
him  all  over  the  castle ; but  he  had  gone  out  meanwhile, 
and  now  sat  on  his  horse  outside  the  door  with  the  cloak 
thrown  off.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  she  went,  out  at  the 
door  she  saw  him,  and  cried  for  joy,  and  the  man,  dis- 
mounting from  his  horse,  took  her  in  his  arms,  and  the 
Princess  kissed  him  and  said,  “Now  you  have  indeed 
saved  me,  and  to-morrow  we  will  be  married  1” 


XCIII. 


Old  Hildebrand. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  lived  an  old  Farmer,  and  his 
Daughter  with  him,  whom  the  Parson  of  the  village, 
having  once  seen,  took  a great  fancy  to ; and  he  thought 
he  should  be  very  happy  if  he  could  manage  one  day  to 
have  a long  talk  with  her  alone.  To  this  the  Daughter 
had  no  objection,  and  the  Parson  one  day  said  to  her,  “ Oh  ! 
my  dear  maiden,  hear  what  I have  to  say : I will  tell  you 
how  to  manage,  that  we  may  have  a whole  day  all  to  our- 
selves. About  the  middle  of  this  week  do  you  lie  in  bed 
one  morning,  and  tell  your  father  you  are  very  ill,  and 
groan  and  sigh  very  badly,  and  keep  that  up  all  the  week. 
Then,  on  Sunday,  when  I come  to  deliver  my  sermon,  I 
will  preach  that  whoever  has  at  home  a sick  child,  a sick 
husband,  a sick  wife,  a sick  father  or  mother,  a sick  sister 
or  brother,  or  any  other  relative,  and  shall  make  a journey 
to  the  Bell  Mountain  in  Wales,  such  an  one’s  sick  child, 
sick  husband  or  wife,  sick  father  or  mother,  sick  sister  or 
brother,  or  any  other  relative,  shall  become  well  on  the 
instant.” 

“ Oh  ! that  I will  do  for  you,”  said  the  girl ; and  there- 
upon, about  the  middle  of  the  week,  she  laid  a-bed,  and, 
spite  of  all  her  Father  brought  or  did  for  her,  she  groaned 
and  sighed  till  the  Sunday,  as  if  she  were  full  of  pain. 
On  Sunday  the  Daughter  said  to  her  Father,  “ Oh  ! I am 
really  so  miserably  ill,  I feel  as  if  I should  die  ; but  once 
before  my  end  I should  like  to  hear  the  Parson  again,  and 
hear  the  sermon  which  he  will  deliver  to-day.” 

“ Ah  ! my  child,”  replied  the  Farmer,  “you  must  not 
do  that ; you  would  be  all  the  worse  for  it  if  you  got  up. 


24 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


But  never  mind ; I will  go  to  church,  and  pay  great  atten- 
tion to  the  sermon,  and  afterwards  come  and  tell  you  all 
the  Parson  said.” 

“Ah!  very  well,”  said  the  Daughter,  “but  mind  you 
are  very  attentive,  and  tell  me  everything.” 

So  away  went  the  Farmer  to  church  ; and,  after  the 
Parson  had  chanted  and  read  all  the  service,  he  got  into  the 
pulpit  and  began  his  sermon.  In  the  course  of  it  he  said, 
“ If  any  one  here  has  a sick  child,  a sick  husband  or  a sick 
wife,  a sick  father  or  mother,  a sick  brother  or  a sick  sister, 
or  any  other  relative,  and  shall  go  to  the  Bell  Mountain  in 
Wales,  to  such  an  one  shall  the  sick  child,  sick  husband  or 
wife,  sick  father  or  mother,  sick  sister  or  brother,  or  any 
other  relative,  regain  health  immediately  ; especially  if  he 
take  with  him  a cross  and  some  laurel  leaves  which  I will 
give  him  after  service.”  Then  was  nobody  quicker  than 
the  Farmer  in  going  to  the  Parson  after  sendee  for  his 
laurel  leaves  and  cross ; and  as  soon  as  he  had  received 
them  he  hurried  home ; and  almost  before  he  got  to  the 
door  he  called  out,  “ Come,  my  dear  daughter,  you  will  soon 
be  well.  The  Parson  has  preached  to-day  that  whosoever 
having  a sick  child,  a sick  husband  or  wife,  a sick  mother 
or  father,  a sick  brother  or  a sick  sister,  or  any  other  per- 
son, shall  go  to  the  Bell  Mountain,  with  a cross  and  laurel 
leaves  given  him  by  the  Parson,  his  sick  child,  sick 
husband  or  wife,  sick  father  or  mother,  sick  sister  or 
brother,  or  any  other  relative,  shall  recover  immediately. 
Now,  the  laurel  leaves  and  cross  I have  received  from  the 
Parson,  and  I shall  set  out  immediately  on  the  journey, 
that  you  may  be  the  earlier  in  good  health.”  So  saying, 
he  set  out ; but  scarcely  had  he  gone  when  the  Daughter 
got  up,  and  very  soon  afterwards  in  stepped  the  Parson. 
Here  we  will  leave  them  a bit  while  we  follow  the  Farmer 
in  his  wanderings.  As  we  have  said,  he  had  set  out  at 
once,  that  he  might  reach  the  Bell  Mountain  the  sooner ; 


Old  Hildebrand. 


25 


and  on  his  way  his  Cousin  met  him,  who  was  an  egg-mer- 
chant, and  was  just  come  from  market,  having  sold  his 
eggs. 

“Good  day  to  you,”  said  the  Cousin;  “whither  are 
you  going?” 

“ To  Wales,  cousin,”  he  replied  , “ my  daughter  is  very 
ill ; and  the  Parson  said  yesterday  in  his  sermon  that  who- 
ever having  at  home  a sick  child,  a sick  husband  or  wife,  a 
sick  father  or  a sick  mother,  a sick  brother,  sister,  or  any 
other  relation,  should  then  make  a journey  to  the  Bell 
Mountain  in  Wales,  carrying  in  his  hand  some  laurel  and 
a cross,  blessed  and  given  by  the  Parson — whoever  should 
do  this,  then  that  his  sick  child,  sick  mother  or  sick  father, 
husband  or  wife,  sick  brother  or  sick  sister,  or  any  other 
relative,  would  immediately  be  restored  to  health.  So  this 
laurel  and  cross  I have  received  from  the  Priest,  and  now 
I am  hastening  to  the  mountain.” 

“ But  hold,  cousin,  stop !”  said  the  other  to  the  Farmer, 
“ are  you  so  simple  as  to  believe  that  ? Why,  how  do  you 
know  that  the  Parson  may  not  perchance  wish  to  have  a 
comfortable  talk  with  your  daughter  alone,  and  therefore 
has  contrived  this  tale  to  take  you  away  from  home  ?” 

“Mercy  on  us!”  said  the  Farmer,  “if  I did  but  know 
whether  that  were  true  or  not!” 

“Well,  you  soon  can  see,”  replied  the  Cousin;  “just 
get  into  my  cart,  and  I will  drive  you  home,  that  you  may 
satisfy  yourself.” 

It  was  soon  done ; and  as  they  drove  nearer  to  the 
house  they  heard  the  sounds  of  merriment.  There  had 
the  Farmer’s  Daughter  gathered  the  best  of  everything 
out  of  the  farmyard  and  garden,  and  made  all  manner  of 
savoury  dishes,  and  the  Parson  was  there  to  partake  of 
them.  So  the  Cousin  knocked  at  the  door,  and  the  Maiden 
inquired-who  was  there. 

“ It  is  only  me,  cousin,”  replied  he ; “ will  you  give  me 
VOL.  ix. — 2 c 


26  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

a night’s  lodging?  I have  just  sold  my  eggs  in  the  market, 
and  I meant  to  have  got  home  to-night ; but  it  is  so  dark 
already  that  I dare  not  go.” 

“You  have  come  at  a very  unlucky  moment,  cousin,” 
replied  the  Farmer’s  Daughter ; “ but  since  you  are  quite 
alone  you  may  come  in  and  set  yourself  down  in  the 
chimney  corner.” 

So  the  egg-merchant,  carrying  his  basket,  came  in  and 
sat  down  where  he  was  bid,  while  the  Parson  and  the 
Daughter  made  themselves  very  merry  together  over  their 
meal.  Presently  the  Parson  said,  “ You  can  sing  I think, 
my  dear ; just  give  us  a bit  of  a song.” 

“ Well,”  said  she,  “I  could  sing  once  when  I was  very 
young ; but  now  I have  forgotten  how,  and  it  is  almost  all 
lost  to  me.” 

“ Never  mind ; do  just  try  entreated  the  Parson.  So 
the  Farmer’s  Daughter  began: — 

“ Oh  ! well  have  I sent  my  father  away 
To  the  mountains  in  Wales  so  high  I” 

and  then  the  Parson  joined  in — 

“ And  there  he  shall  stop  for  a year  and  a day ; 

And  merry  the  time  will  pass  by.” 

Presently  the  Cousin  within  struck  up — (but  here  I 
must  tell  you  the  Farmer’s  name  was  Hildebrand) — 

“Hearest  thou  that,  my  Hildebrand  dear? 

Why  sit’st  thou  so  quiet,  so  near,  so  near  ?” 

And  directly  the  Farmer  made  answer — 

“ Oh ! more  of  your  singing  I never  can  stand ! 

And  out  of  this  basket  I must  get  my  hand  1” 

With  these  words  he  jumped  up  from  the  basket,  and 
bundled  the  Parson  out  of  the  house. 


XCIV. 


The  Water  of  Life. 


NCE  upon  a time  there  was  a King  who  was  so  ill  that 


every  body  despaired  of  his  life,  and  his  three  Sons 
were  very  sorry,  and  went  out  into  the  palace  gardens  to 
weep.  There  they  met  an  old  Man,  who  asked  the  cause 
of  their  grief,  and  they  told  him  their  Father  was  so  ill 
that  he  must  die,  for  nothing  could  save  him.  The  old  Man 
said,  “I  know  a means  of  saving  him:  if  he  drinks  of  the 
water  of  life  it  will  restore  him  to  health  ; but  it  is  very 
difficult  to  find.” 

“ I will  soon  find  it,”  said  the  eldest  Son,  and,  going  to 
the  sick  King,  he  begged  his  permission  to  set  out  in  search, 
of  the  water  of  life,  which  alone  could  save  him.  - “No; 
the  danger  is  too  great,”  said  the  King;  “ I prefer  to  die.” 
Nevertheless  the  Son  begged  and  entreated  so  long  that 
the  King  consented,  and  the  Prince  went  away,  thinking 
in  his  own  heart,  “ If  I bring  this  water  I am  the  dearest 
to  my  Father,  and  I shall  inherit  his  kingdom.” 

After  he  had  ridden  a long  way  about  he  met  a Dwarf 
on  the  road,  who  asked  him,  “Whither  away  so  quickly?” 

“ You  stupid  dandyprat,”  replied  the  Prince  proudly, 
“ why  should  I tell  you  that  ?”  and  he  rode  off.  But  the 
little  Man  was  angry  and  he  wished  an  evil  thing,  so  that 
soon  after  the  Prince  came  into  a narrow  mountain  pass, 
and  the  further  he  rode  the  narrower  it  grew,  till  at  last  it 
was  so  close  that  he  could  get  no  further;  but  neither 
could  he  turn  his  horse  round,  nor  dismount,  and  he  sat 
there  like  one  amazed.  Meanwhile  the  sick  King  waited  a 
long  while  for  him,  but  he  did  not  come ; and  the  second 
Son  asked  leave  to  go  too  and  seek  the  water,  for  he 


28 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


thought  to  himself,  “ If  mj  Brother  is  dead  the  kingdom 
comes  to  me.”  At  first  the  King  refused  to  spare  him  ; but 
he  gave  way,  and  the  Prince  set  out  on  the  same  road  as 
the  elder  one  had  taken,  and  met  also  the  same  Dwarf,  who 
stopped  him  and  asked  him,  “Whither  ride  you  so  hastily?” 
“Little  dandyprat,”  replied  the  Prince,  “what  do  you  want 
to  know  for  ?”  and  he  rode  off  without  looking  round.  The 
Dwarf,  however,  enchanted  him,  and  it  happened  to  him  as 
it  had  to  his  Brother:  he  came  to  a defile  where  he  could 
move  neither  forwards  nor  backwards.  Such  is  the  fate  of 
all  haughty  people. 

Now,  when  the  second  Son  did  not  return,  the  youngest 
begged  leave  to  go  and  fetch  the  water,  and  the  King  was 
obliged  at  last  to  give  his  consent.  When  he  met  the 
Dwarf,  and  was  asked  whither  he  was  going  so  hurriedly, 
he  stopped  and  replied,  “ I seek  the  water  of  life,  for  my 
Father  is  sick  unto  death.”  “ Do  you  know  where  to  find 
it?”  asked  the  Dwarf.  “ No,”  replied  the  Prince.  “Since 
you  have  behaved  yourself  as  you  ought,”  said  the  Dwarf, 
“ and  not  haughtily  like  your  false  Brothers,  I will  give  you 
information  and  show  you  where  you  may  obtain  the  water 
of  life.  It  flows  from  a fountain  in  the  court  of  an  enchant- 
ed castle,  into  which  you  can  never  penetrate  if  I do  not 
give  you  an  iron  rod  and  two  loaves  of  bread.  With  the 
rod  knock  thrice  at  the  iron  door  of  the  castle,  and  it  will 
_ spring  open.  Within  lie  two  lions  with  open  jaws,  but  if 
you  throw  down  to  each  a loaf  of  bread  they  will  be  quiet. 
Then  hasten  and  fetch  some  of  the  water  of  life  before  it 
strikes  twelve,  for  then  the  door  will  shut  again  and  you 
will  be  imprisoned.” 

The  Prince  thanked  the  Dwarf,  and,  taking  the  road  and 
bread,  he  set  out  on  his  journey,  and  as  he  arrived  at  the 
castle  he  found  it  as  the  Dwarf  had  said.  At  the  third 
knock  the  door  sprang  open ; and,  when  he  had  stilled  the 
Lions  with  the  bread,  he  walked  into  a fine  large  hall, 


The  Water  of  Life. 


29 


where  sat  several  enchanted  Princes,  from  whose  fingers  he 
drew  off  the  rings,  and  he  also  took  away  with  him  a sword 
and  some  bread  which  lay  there.  A little  further  he  came 
to  a room  wherein  stood  a beautiful  maiden,  who  was  so 
pleased  to  see  him  that  she  kissed  him  and  said  he  had 
freed  her,  and  should  have  her  whole  kingdom,  and  if  he 
came  in  another  year  their  wedding  should  be  celebrated. 
Then  she  told  him  where  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life 
was  placed,  and  he  hastened  away  lest  it  should  strike 
twelve  ere  he  gained  it.  He  came  next  into  a room  where 
a fine  clean  covered  bed  stood,  and,  being  tired,  he  laid 
down  to  rest  himself  a bit.  But  he  went  to  sleep,  and  when 
he  awoke  it  struck  the  quarter  to  twelve,  and  the  sound 
made  him  hurry  to  the  fountain,  from  which  he  took  some 
water  in  a cup  which  stood  near.  This  done,  he  hastened 
to  the  door,  and  was  scarcely  out  before  it  struck  twelve, 
and  the  door  swung  to  so  heavily  that  it  carried  away  a 
piece  of  his  heel. 

But  he  was  very  glad,  in  spite  of  this,  that  he  bad  pro- 
cured the  water,  and  he  journeyed  homewards,  and  passed 
again  where  the  Dwarf  stood.  When  the  Dwarf  saw  the 
sword  and  bread  which  he  had  brought  away  he  declared 
he  had  done  well,  for  with  the  sword  he  could  destroy  whole 
armies ; but  the  bread  was  worth  nothing.  How,  the  Prince 
was  not  willing  to  return  home  to  his  Father  without  his 
Brothers,  and  so  he  said  to  the  Dwarf,  “Dear  Dwarf,  can 
you  tell  me  where  my  Brothers  are  ? they  went  out  before 
me  in  search  of  the  water  of  life,  and  did  not  return.” 
“ They  are  stuck  fast  between  two  mountains,”  replied  the 
Dwarf ; “ because  they  were  so  haughty,  I enchanted  them 
there.” 

Then  the  Prince  begged  for  their  release,  till  at  last 
the  Dwarf  brought  them  out ; but  he  warned  the  youngest 
to  beware  of  them,  for  they  had  evil  in  their  hearts. 

When  his  Brothers  came  he  was  very  glad,  and  he 


30 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


related  to  them  all  that  had  happened  to  him ; how  he 
had  found  the  water  of  life  and  brought  away  a cup  full 
of  it ; and  how  he  had  rescued  a beautiful  Princess,  who 
for  a whole  year  was  going  to  wait  for  him,  and  then  he 
was  to  return  to  be  married  to  her,  and  receive  a rich 
kingdom.  After  this  tale  the  three  Brothers  rode  away 
together,  and  soon  entered  a province  where  there  were 
war  and  famine  raging,  and  the  King  thought  he  should 
perish,  so  great  was  his  necessity.  The  youngest  Prince 
went  to  this  King  and  gave  him  the  bread,  with  -which  he 
fed  and  satisfied  his  whole  people ; and  then  the  Prince 
gave  him  the  sword,  wherewith  he  defeated  and  slew  all 
his  enemies,  and  regained  peace  and  quiet.  This  effected, 
the  Prince  took  back  the  bread  and  sword,  and  rode  on 
further  with  his  Brothers,  and  by-and-by  they  came  to  two 
other  provinces  where  also  war  and  famine  were  destroy- 
ing the  people.  To  each  King  the  Prince  lent  his  bread 
and  sword,  and  so  saved  three  kingdoms.  After  this  they 
went  on  board  a ship  to  pass  over  the  sea  which  separated 
them  from  home,  and  during  the  voyage  the  two  elder 
Brothers  said  to  one  another,  “ Our  Brother  has  found  the 
water  of  life  and  we  have  not;  therefore  our  Father  will 
give  the  kingdom  which  belongs  to  us  to  him,  and  our 
fortune  will  be  taken  away.”  With  these  thoughts  they 
became  revengeful,  and  consulted  together  how  they  should 
kill  him,  and  one  day  waiting  till  he  was  fast  asleep,  they 
poured  the  water  out  of  his  cup  and  took  it  for  themselves, 
while  they  filled  his  up  with  bitter  salt-water.  As  soon  as 
they  arrived  at  home  the  youngest  Brother  took  his  cup  to 
the  sick  King,  that  he  might  drink  out  of  it  and  regain  his 
health.  But  scarcely  had  he  drunk  a very  little  of  the 
water  when  he  became  worse  than  before,  for  it  was  as 
bitter  as  wormwood.  While  the  King  lay  in  this  state,  the 
two  elder  Princes  came,  and  accused  their  Brother  of 
poisoning  his  Father;  but  they  had  brought  the  right 


The  Water  of  Life. 


31 


water,  and  they  handed  it  to  the  King.  Scarcely  had  he 
drunk  a little  out  of  the  cup  when  the  King  felt  his  sick- 
ness leave  him,  and  soon  he  was  as  strong  and  healthy  as 
in  his  young  days.  The  two  Brothers  now  went  to  the 
youngest  Prince,  mocking  him,  and  saying,  “You  cer- 
tainly found  the  water  of  life  ; but  you  had  the  trouble 
and  we  had  the  reward;  you  should  have  been  more 
cautious  ■and  kept  your  eyes  open,  for  we  took  your  cup 
while  you  were  asleep  on  the  sea  ; and,  moreover,  in  a 
year  one  of  us  intends  to  fetch  your  Princess.  Beware, 
however,  that  you  betray  us  not ; the  King  will  not  be- 
lieve you,  and  if  you  say  a single  word  your  life  will  be 
lost;  but  if  you  remain  silent  you  are  safe.”  The  old. 
King,  nevertheless,  was  very  angry  with  his  youngest  Son, 
who  had  conspired,  as  he  believed,  against  his  life.  He 
caused  his  court  to  be  assembled,  and  sentence  was  given 
to  the  effect  that  the  Prince  should  be  secretly  shot ; and 
once  as  he  rode  out  hunting,  unsuspicious  of  any  evil,  the 
Huntsman  was  sent  with  him  to  perform  the  deed.  By- 
and-by,  when  they  were  alone  in  the  wood,  the  Huntsman 
seemed  so  sad  that  the  Prince  asked  him  what  ailed  him. 
The  Huntsman  replied,  “I  cannot  and  yet  must  tell  you.” 
“Tell  me  boldly  what  it  is,”  said  the  Prince,  “I  will  for- 
give you.”  “Ah  ! it  is  no  other  than  that  I must  shoot  you, 
for  so  has  the  King  ordered  me,”  said  the  Huntsman  with 
a deep  sigh. 

The  Prince  was  frightened,  and  said,  “Let  me  live, 
dear  Huntsman,  let  me  live!  I will  give  you  my  royal 
coat  and  you  shall  give  me  yours  in  exchange.”  To  this 
the  Huntsman  readily  assented,  for  he  felt  unable  to  shoot 
the  Prince,  and  after  they  had  exchanged  their  clothing 
the  Huntsman  returned  home,  and  the  Prince  went  deeper 
into  the  wood. 

A short  time  afterwards  three  waggons  laden  with  gold 
and  precious  stones  came  to  the  King’s  palace  for  his 


82 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


youngest  Son,  and  they  were  sent  by  the  three  Kings  in 
token  of  gratitude  for  the  sword  which  had  defeated  their 
enemies,  and  the  bread  which  had  nourished  their  people. 
At  this  arrival  the  old  King  said  to  himself,  “ Perhaps 
after  all  my  Son  was  guiltless,”  and  he  lamented  to  his 
courtiers  that  he  had  let  his  Son  be  killed.  But  the 
Huntsman  cried  out,  “ He  lives  yet ! for  I could  not  find 
it  in  my  heart  to  fulfil  your  commands,”  and  he  told  the 
King  how  it  had  happened.  The  King  felt  as  if  a stone 
had  been  removed  from  his  heart,  and  he  caused  it  to  be 
proclaimed  everywhere  throughout  his  dominions  that  his 
Son  might  return  and  would  again  be  taken  into  favour. 

Meanwhile  the  Princess  bad  caused  a road  to  be  made 
up  to  her  castle  of  pure  shining  gold,  and  she  told  her 
attendants  that  whoever  should  ride  straight  up  this  road 
would  be  the  right  person,  and  one  whom  they  might 
admit  into  the  castle;  but,  on  the  contrary,  whoever  should 
ride  up  not  on  the  road,  but  by  the  side,  they  were  ordered 
on  no  account  to  admit,  for  he  was  not  the  right  person. 
When,  therefore,  the  time  came  round  which  the  Princess 
had  mentioned  to  the  youngest  Prince,  the  eldest  Brother 
thought  he  would  hasten  to  her  castle  and  announce  him- 
self as  her  deliverer,  that  he  might  gain  her  as  a bride  and 
the  kingdom  besides.  £>o  he  rode  away,  and  when  he  came 
in  front  of  the  castle  and  saw  the  fine  golden  road  he 
thought  it  would  be  a shame  to  ride  thereon,  and  so  he 
turned  to  the  left  hand  and  rode  up  out  of  the  road.  But 
as  he  came  up  to  the  door  the  guards  told  him  he  was  not 
the  right  person,  and  he  must  ride  back  again.  Soon  after- 
wards the  second  Prince  also  set  out,  and  he,  likewise, 
when  he  came  to  the  golden  road,  and  his  horse  set  his  fore 
feet  upon  it,  thought  it  would  be  a pity  to  travel  upon  it, 
and  so  he  turned  aside  to  the  right  hand  and  went  up. 
When  he  came  to  the  gate  the  guards  refused  him  admit- 
tance, and  told  him  he  was  not  the  person  expected,  and  so 


The  Water  of  Life. 


33 


he  had  to  return  homewards.  The  youngest  Prince,  who  had 
all  this  time  been  wandering  about  in  the  forest,  had  also 
remembered  that  the  year  was  up,  and  soon  after  his  Broth- 
ers’ departure  he  appeared  before  the  castle  and  rode  up 
straight  on  the  golden  road,  for  he  was  so  deeply  engaged 
in  thinking  of  his  beloved  Princess  that  he  did  not  observe 
it.  As  soon  as  he  arrived  at  the  door  it  was  opened,  and  the 
Princess  received  him  with  joy,  saying  he  was  her  deliverer 
and  the  lord  of  her  dominions.  Soon  after  their  wedding 
was  celebrated,  and  when  it  was  over  the  Princess  told  her 
husband  that  his  Father  had  forgiven  him  and  desired  to 
see  him.  Thereupon  he  rode  to  the  old  King’s  palace,  and 
told  him  how  his  Brothers  had  betrayed  him  while  he  slept 
and  had  sworn  him  to  silence.  When  the  King  heard  this 
he  would'  have  punished  the  false  Brothers,  but  they  had 
prudently  taken  themselves  off  in  a ship,  and  they  never 
returned  home  afterwards. 


VOL-.  II. — 2* 


The  Spirit  in  the  Bottle. 


HERE  was  once  upon  a time  a poor  Woodcutter  who 


worked  from  morning  till  quite  late  at  night,  and 
after  doing  so  for  a very  long  time  he  managed  to  save 
some  money,  and  said  to  his  Son,  “You  are  my  only  child, 
and  so  this  money,  which  I have  earned  by  the  hard  sweat 
of  my  brow,  shall  be  spent  on  your  education.  Do  you 
learn  something  useful  whereby  you  may  support  me  in 
my  old  age,  when  my  limbs  become  so  stiff  that  I am 
obliged  to  sit  still  at  home.” 

Thereupon  the  Son  went  to  a great  school,  and  was 
very  industrious,  so  that  he  became  much  noticed  for  it; 
and  there  he  remained  a long  time.  After  he  had  gone 
through  a long  course  of  study,  but  still  had  not  learnt  all 
that  was  to  be  learnt,  the  store  of  money  which  his  Father 
had  earned  was  exhausted,  and  he  was  obliged  to  return 
home  again. 

“ Ah,  I can  give  you  no  more,”  said  the  Father,  sadly, 
“ for  in  these  dear  times  I can  scarce  earn  enough  for  my 
daily  bread.” 

“ Make  yourself  easy  on  that  point,  my  dear  father,” 
replied  the  Son  ; “ if  it  is  God’s  will,  be  sure  it  is  all  for 
the  best : I will  suit  myself  to  the  times.” 

Afterwards,  when  the  Father  was  about  to  go  to  the 
forest  to  earn  something  by  chopping  and  clearing,  his  Son 
said,  “I  will  accompany  you  and  help  }rou.”  “Ah,  but  my 
son,”  said  the  Father,  “ that  will  be  a hard  matter  for  you, 
who  have  never  been  used  to  such  hard  work ; you  must 
not  attempt  it;  besides,  I have  only  one  axe,  and  no  money 
either  to  buy  another.” 


The  Spirit  in  the  Bottle.  35 

“ Go  then  and  ask  your  neighbour  to  lend  you  one,  till 
I shall  have  earned  enough  to  buy  one  for  myself,”  replied 
the  Son. 

So  the  Father  borrowed  an  axe  of  his  neighbour,  and 
the  next  morning,  at  break  of  day,  they  went  together  to 
the  forest.  The  Son  assisted  his  Father,  and  was  very 
lively  and  merry  over  his  work,  and  about  noon,  when  the 
sun  stood  right  over  their  heads,  the  Father  proposed  to  rest 
for  a while,  and  eat  their  dinner,  and  then,  after  that,  they 
would  be  able  to  work  all  the  better.  The  Son,  however, 
taking  his  share  of  bread,  said,  “Do  you  rest  here,  father; 
I am  not  tired ; and  I will  go  a little  way  into  the  forest, 
and  look  for  birds’  nests.” 

“ Oh,  you  silly  fellow  !”  said  the  Father,  “ what  do  you 
want  to  run  about  for  ? you  will  make  yourself  so  tired, 
you  will  not  be  able  to  raise  your  arm : keep  quiet  a bit 
and  sit  down  here  with  me.” 

But  the  young  man  would  not  do  so,  but  went  olf 
among  the  trees,  eating  his  bread,  and  peeping  about  among 
the  bushes  for  any  nest  he  could  find.  To  and  fro  he 
walked  a long  way,  and  presently  came  to  an  immense  oak- 
tree,  which  was  certainly  many  hundred  years  old,  and 
could  not  have  been  spanned  round  by  any  five  men.  He 
stopped  still  to  look  at  this  tree,  thinking  that  many  a 
bird’s  nest  must  be  built  within  it,  and  while  he  did  so  he 
suddenly  heard,  as  he  thought,  a voice.  He  listened,  and 
soon  heard  again  a half-smothered  cry  of  “Let  me  out!  let 
me  out!”  He  looked  around,  but  could  see  nothing;  still 
the  voice  appeared  to  come,  as  it  were,  from  the  ground. 
So  he  called  “ Where  are  you  ?”  and  the  Voice  replied, 
“ Here  I stick,  among  the  roots  of  the  oak-tree : let  me 
out ! let  me  out !”  The  Scholar,  therefore,  began  to  search 
at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  where  the  roots  spread,  and  at  last, 
in  a little  hollow,  he  found  a glass  bottle.  He  picked  it  up, 
and,  holding  it  to  the  light,  he  perceived  a thing,  in  shape 


36 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


like  a frog,  which  kept  jumping  up  and  down.  “ Let  me 
out ! let  me  out !”  cried  the  thing  again  ; and  the  Scholar, 
thinking  no  evil,  drew  out  the  stopper  of  the  bottle.  Im- 
mediately a Spirit  sprang  out,  and  began  to  grow  and 
grow  so  fast,  that  in  a very  few  moments  he  stood  before 
the  Scholar  like  a frightful  giant,  half  the  size  of  the  tree. 
“ Do  you  know,”  he  cried,  with  a voice  like  thunder,  “ do 
you  know  what  your  reward  is  for  letting  me  out  of  the 
glass  bottle  ?” 

“No,”  replied  the  Scholar,  without  fear;  “ how  should  I?” 

“Then  I will  tell  you,”  cried  the  Spirit:  “I  must  break 
your  neck !” 

“You  should  have  told  me  that  before,”  returned  the 
Scholar,  “ and  then  you  should  have  stuck  where  you  were ; 
but  my  head  will  stick  on  my  shoulders  in  spite  of  you,  for 
there  are  several  people’s  opinions  to  be  asked  yet  about 
that  matter.” 

“ Keep  your  people  out  of  my  way,”  rejoined  the  Spirit ; 
“but  your  deserved  reward  you  must  receive.  Do  you 
suppose  I have  been  shut  up  so  long  out  of  mercy?  no;  it 
was  for  my  punishment : I am  the  mighty  Mercury,  and 
whoever  lets  me  out,  his  neck  must  I break.” 

“ Softly,  softly !”  said  the  Scholar,  “ that  is  quicker  said 
than  done ; I must  first  know  really  that  you  were  in  the 
bottle,  and  that  you  are  truly  a spirit;  if  I see  you  return 
into  the  bottle,  I will  believe,  and  then  you  may  do  with 
me  what  you  please.” 

Full  of  pride,  the  Spirit  answered,  “ That  is  an  easy 
matter,”  and,  drawing  himself  together,  he  became  as  thin 
as  he  had  been  at  first,  and  soon  crept  through  the  same 
opening  back  again  into  the  bottle.  Scarcely  was  he  com- 
pletely in  when  the  Scholar  put  the  stopper  back  into  the 
neck,  and  threw  the  bottle  down  among  the  oak-tree  roots 
at  the  old  place ; so  the  Spirit  was  deceived. 

After  this  the  Scholar  would  have  gone  back  to  his 


The  Spirit  in  the  Bottle.  37 

Father,  but  the  Spirit  cried  lamentably,  “Oh,  let  me  out! 
do  let  me  out !” 

“No,”  replied  the  Scholar,  “not  a second  time:  he  who 
tried  to  take  away  my  life  once  I shall  not  let  out  in  a 
hurry,  when  I have  got  him  safe  again.” 

“If  you  will  free  me,”  pleaded  the  Spirit,  “I  will  give 
you  as  much  as  will  serve  you  for  your  lifetime.” 

‘No,  no !”  rejoined  the  Scholar,  “you  will  deceive  me 
as  you  did  at  first.” 

“You  are  fighting  against  your  own  fortune,”  replied 
the  Spirit;  “I  will  do  you  no  harm,  but  reward  you 
richly.” 

“ Well,  I will  hazard  it,”  thought  the  Scholar  to  him- 
self ; “ perhaps  he  will  keep  his  word,  and  do  me  no  in- 
jury ;”  and,  so  thinking,  he  took  the  stopper  out  of  the 
bottle  again,  and  the  Spirit  sprang  out  as  before,  stretched 
himself  up,  and  became  as  big  as  a giant. 

“Now  you  shall  have  your  reward,”  said  the  Spirit, 
reaching  the  Scholar  a little  piece  of  rag  in  shape  like  a 
plaster.  “ If  you  apply  one  end  of  this  to  a wound  it  shall 
heal  directly,  and,  if  you  touch  with  the  other  steel  or  iron, 
either  will  be  changed  into  silver.” 

“That  I must  try  first,”  said  the  Scholar;  and,  going  to 
a tree,  he  tore  off  a piece  of  the  bark  with  his  axe,  and  then 
touched  it  with  the  one  end  of  the  rag,  and  immediately  the 
wound  closed  up  as  if  nothing  had  been  done.  “ Now  it 
is  all  right,”  said  the  Scholar,  “now  we  can  separate.” 
Then  the  Spirit  thanked  him  for  releasing  him,  and  the 
Scholar  thanked  the  Spirit  for  his  present,  and  went  back 
to  his  Father. 

‘ Where  have  you  been  roaming  to  ?”  asked  the  Father ; 
“ why,  you  have  quite  forgotten  your  work.  I said  right- 
ly that  you  would  do  nothing  of  this  kind  well.” 

“ Be  contented,  father;  I will  make  up  the  time,”  said 
the  Son. 

D 


38 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“Yes,  you  will  make  it  up,  truly,”  broke  in  the  Father 
angrily,  “ without  an  axe !” 

“ Now,  see,  father,  I will  cut  down  that  tree  at  one 
blow !”  and,  so  saying,  the  son  took  his  rag,  rubbed  the  axe 
with  it,  and  gave  a powerful  blow,  but  because  the  axe  was 
changed  into  silver  the  edge  turned  up.  “ Ah,  father,  do 
you  see  what  an  axe  you  have  given  me ! it  has  no  edge  at 
all !”  said  the  Son. 

The  Father  was  frightened  and  said,  “Ah ! what  have 
you  done?  now  I must  pay  for  the  axe,  and  I know  not 
how ; for  it  is  the  one  which  I borrowed  for  your  work.” 
“Don’t  be  angry;  I will  soon  pay  for  the  axe,”  said  the 
Son;  but  the  Father  exclaimed,  “Why,  you  simpleton, 
how  will  you  do  that  ? you  have  nothing  but  what  I give 
you : this  is  some  student’s  trick  which  is  stuck  in  your 
head,  but  of  woodcutting  you  know  nothing  at  all !” 

After  a pause  the  Scholar  said,  “Father,  I can  work  no 
more ; let  us  make  holiday  now.” 

“ Eh  ? what  ?”  was  the  answer,  “ do  you  think  I can  keep 
my  hands  in  my  pockets  as  you  do?  I must  get  on,  but  you 
can  go  home.”  The  Son  replied  he  did  not  know  the  way, 
as  it  was  his  first  time  of  being  in  the  forest,  and  at  last  he 
persuaded  his  Father  to  accompany  him  home,  his  wrath 
being  past  away.  When  they  arrived  at  their  house,  the 
Father  told  his  son  to  go  and  sell  the  axe  which  was  dam- 
aged, and  the  rest  he  must  earn  in  order  to  pay  his  neigh- 
bour for  it.  So  the  Son  took  the  axe,  and  carried  it  to  a 
Goldsmith  in  the  city,  who,  after  proving  it,  laid  it  in  his 
scales,  and  said,  “It  is  worth  four  hundred  dollars,  and  so 
much  I have  not'by  me  in  the  house.” 

“Give  me  what  you  have,”  said  the  Scholar,  “and  I 
will  trust  you  the  remainder.”  The  Goldsmith  gave  him 
three  hundred  dollars  and  left  the  other  as  a debt,  and 
thereupon  the  Scholar  went  home,  and  said  to  his  Father, 


The  Spirit  in  the  Bottle. 


39 


“ Go,  ask  the  neighbour  what  he  will  have  for  his  axe ; for 
I have  got  some  money.” 

“ I know  already,”  answered  his  Father;  “one  dollar 
six  groschen  is  the  price.” 

“ Then  give  him  two  dollars  and  twelve  groschen  ; that 
is  double,  and  enough ; see,  here,  I have  money  in  abund- 
ance !”  and  he  gave  his  Father  one  hundred  dollars,  saying, 
“You  shall  never  want  now;  live  at  your  ease.” 

“ My  goodness  !”  said  the  man,  “ where  have  you  pro- 
cured this  money?” 

The  Son  told  his  Father  all  that  had  happened,  and  how 
he  had  made  such  a capital  catch  by  trusting  to  his  luck. 
With  the  rest  of  the  money,  however,  he  returned  to  the 
university,  and  learnt  all  that  he  could;  and  afterwards, 
because  he  could  heal  all  wounds  with  his  plaster,  he  be- 
came the  most  celebrated  doctor  in  the  whole  world. 


The  Two  Wanderers. 


JT  is  certain  that  hills  and  valleys  always  meet,  and  it 
often  happens  on  the  earth  that  her  children,  both  the 
good  and  the  wicked,  cross  each  other’s  paths  continually. 
So  it  once  occurred  that  a Shoemaker  and  a Tailor  fell 
together  during  their  travels.  Now,  the  Tailor  was  a 
merry  little  fellow,  always  making  the  best  of  everything; 
and,  as  he  saw  the  Shoemaker  approaching  from  the  op- 
posite road,  and  remarked  by  his  knapsack  what  trade  he 
was,  he  began  a little  mocking  rhyme,  singing: — 

“ Stitch,  stitch  away  with  your  needle, 

Pull  away  hard  with  your  thread, 

Rub  it  with  wax  to  the  right  aDd  the  left, 

And  knock  the  old  peg  on  the  head !” 

The  Shoemaker,  however,  could  not  take  a joke,  and  drew 
a long  face  as  if  he  had  been  drinking  vinegar,  while  he 
seemed  inclined  to  lay  hold  of  the  Tailor  by  the  collar. 
But  the  latter  began  to  laugh,  and  handed  his  bottle  to 
the  other,  saying,  “ It  is  not  ill  meant ; jjist  drink,  and 
wash  down  the  gall.”  The  Shoemaker  thereupon  took  a 
long  pull,  and  immediately  the  gathering  storm  vanished  ; 
and,  as  he  gave  the  Tailor  back  his  bottle,  he  said,  “ I 
should  have  spoken  to  you  roughly,  but  one  talks  better 
after  a great  drinking  than  after  long  thirst.  Shall  we 
travel  together  now?”  “Right  willingly,”  answered  the 
Tailor,  “if  you  have  but  a mind  to  go  into  some  large 
town  where  work  is  not  wanting  to  those  wrho  seek  it.” 
“ That  is  just  the  place  I should  like,”  rejoined  the  Shoe- 
maker ; “ in  a little  nest  there  is  nothing  to  be  earned,  and 
the  people  in  the  country  would  rather  go  barefoot  than 


The  Two  Wanderers. 


41 


buy  shoes.”  So  they  wandered  away,  setting  always  one 
foot  before  the  other,  like  a weasel  in  the  snow. 

Time  enough  had  both  our  heroes,  but  little  either  to 
bite  or  break.  When  they  came  to  the  first  town,  they 
went  round  requesting  work,  and  because  the  Tailor  looked 
so  fresh  and  merry,  and  had  such  red  cheeks,  every  one 
gave  him  what  he  could  spare  to  do,  and  moreover  he  was 
so  lucky  that  the  master’s  daughters,  behind  the  shop, 
would  give  him  a kiss  as  he  passed.  So  it  happened  that, 
when  he  met  again  with  his  companion,  his  bundle  was  the 
better  filled  of  the  two.  The  fretful  Shoemaker  drew  a 
sour  face,  and  thought,  “The  greater  the  rogue  the  better 
the  luck but  the  other  began  to  laugh  and  sing,  and 
shared  all  that  he  received  with  his  comrade.  For,  if  only 
a couple  of  groschen  jingled  in  his  pocket,  he  would  out 
with  them,  throw  them  on  the  table  with  sucli  force  that 
the  glasses  danced,  and  cry  out,  “ Lightly  earned,  lightly ' 
spent !” 

After  they  had  wandered,  about  for  some  time  they 
came  to  a large  forest,  through  which  the  road  passed  to 
the  royal  city ; but  there  were  two  ways,  one  of  which 
was  seven  days  long,  and  the  other  only  two,  but  neither 
of  the  travellers  knew  which  was  the  shorter.  They, 
therefore,  sat  down  under  an  oak-tree,  to  consult  how  they 
should  manage,  and  for  how  many  days  they  could  take 
bread  with  them.  The  Shoemaker  said,  “ One  must  pro- 
vide for  further  than  one  goes,  so  I will  take  with  me 
bread  for  seven  days.” 

“What!”  cried  the  Tailor,  “carry  bread  for  seven 
days  on  your  back  like  a beast  of  burden,  so  that  you  can’t 
look  round ! I shall  commit  myself  to  God,  and  care  for 
nothing.  The  money  which  I have  in  my  pocket  is  as 
good  in  summer  as  in  winter,  but  the  bread  will  get  dry, 
and  musty  beside,  in  this  hot  weather.  Why  should  we 
not  find  the  right  way  ? Bread  for  two  days,  and  luck 


42 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


with  it !”  Thereupon  each  one  bought  his  own  bread,  and 
then  they  started  in  the  forest  to  try  their  fortune. 

It  was  as  quiet  and  still  as  a church.  Not  a breath  of 
wind  was  stirring,  not  a brook  bubbling,  a bird  singing, 
nor  even  a sunbeam  shining  through  the  thick  leaves. 
The  Shoemaker  spoke  never  a word,  for  the  heavy  bread 
pressed  upon  his  back  so  sorely  that  the  sweat  ran  down 
over  his  morose  and  dark  countenance.  The  Tailor,  on 
the  other  hand,  was  as  merry  as  a lark,  jumping  about, 
whistling  through  straws,  or  singing  songs.  Thus  two 
days  passed;  but  on  the  third,  when  no  end  was  to  be 
found  to  the  forest,  the  Tailor’s  heart  fell  a bit,  for  he  had 
eaten  all  his  bread  : still  he  did  not  lose  courage,  but  put 
his  trust  in  God  and  his  own  luck.  The  third  evening  he 
laid  down  under  a tree  hungry,  and  awoke  the  next  morn- 
ing not  less  so.  The  fourth  day  was  just  the  same,  and 
when  the  Shoemaker  sat  down  on  an  uprooted  tree,  and 
devoured  his  midday  meal,  nothing  remained  to  the  Tailor 
but  to  look  on.  He  begged  once  a bit  of  bread,  but  the 
other  laughed  in  his  face,  and  said,  “You  are  always  so 
merry,  and  now  you  can  try  for  once  in  your  life  how  a 
man  feels  when  he  is  sad  ; birds  which  sing  too  early  in  the 
morning  are  caught  by  the  hawk  in  the  evening.”  In  short, 
he  was  without  pity  for  his  companion.  The  fifth  morn- 
ing, however,  the  poor  Tailor  could  not  stand  upright,  and 
could  scarcely  speak  from  faintness : his  cheeks,  besides, 
were  quite  white  and  his  eyes  red.  Then  the  Shoemaker 
said  to  him,  “I  will  give  you  to-day  a piece  of  bread,  but 
I must  put  out  your  right  eye  for  it.” 

The  unhappy  Tailor,  who  still  wished  to  preserve  his 
life,  could  not  help  himself:  he  wept  once  with  both  eyes, 
and  then  the  Shoemaker,  who  had  a heart  of  stone,  put  out 
his  right  eye  with  a needle.  Then  the  poor  fellow  recol- 
lected what  his  mother  had  once  said  to  him  when  he  had 
been  eating  in  the  store-room,  “ One  may  eat  too  much, 


The  Two  Wanderers. 


43 


but  one  must  also  suffer  for  it.”  As  soon  as  be  bad  swal- 
lowed his  dearly-purchased  bread  be  got  upon  bis  legs 
again,  forgot  bis  misfortune,  and  comforted  himself  by  re- 
flecting that  be  bad  still  one  eye  left  to  see  with.  But  on 
the  sixth  day  hunger  again  tormented  him  and  bis  heart 
began  to  fail  him.  When  evening  came  be  sank  down 
under  a tree,  and  on  the  seventh  morning  he  could  not 
raise  himself  from  faintness,  for  death  sat  on  his  neck. 
The  Shoemaker  said,  “ I will  yet  show  you  mercy  and  give 
you  a piece  of  bread,  but  as  a recompense  I must  put  out 
your  left  eye.”  The  Tailor,  remembering  his  past  sinful- 
ness, begged  pardon  of  God,  and  then  said  to  his  com- 
panion, “Do  what  you  will,  I will  bear  what  I must;  but 
remember  that  our  God  watches  every  action;  and  that 
another  hour  will  come  when  the  wicked  deed  shall  be 
punished  which  you  have  practised  upon  me,  and  which  I 
have  never  deserved.  In  prosperous  days  I shared  with 
you  what  I had.  My  business  is  one  which  requires  stitch 
for  stitch.  If  I have  no  longer  sight,  I can  sew  no  more, 
and  must  go  begging.  Let  me  not,  when  I am  blind,  lie 
here  all  alone,  or  I shall  perish.” 

The  Shoemaker,  however,  had  driven  all  thoughts 
about  God  out  of  his  heart,  and  he  took  the  knife  and  put 
out  the  left  eye  of  his  comrade.  Then  he  gave  him  a 
piece  of  bread  to  eat,  reached  him  a stick,  and  led  him 
behind  him. 

As  the  sun  was  setting  they  got  out  of  the  forest,  and 
before  them  in  a field  stood  a gallows.  The  Shoemaker 
led  the  blind  Tailor  to  it,  left  him  lying  there,  and  went 
his  way.  From  weariness,  pain,  and  hunger,  the  poor  fellow 
slept  the  whole  night  long,  and  when  he  awoke  at  day- 
break he  knew  not  where  he  was.  Upon  the  gallows  hung 
two  poor  sinners,  and  upon  each  of  their  heads  sat  a Crow, 
one  of  which  said  to  the  other,  “ Brother,  are  you  awake?” 
“Yes,  I am,”  replied  the  second.  “Then  I will  tell  you 


44 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


something,”  said  the  first  Crow.  “ The  dew  which  has 
fallen  over  us  this  night  from  the  gallows  will  give  sight 
to  him  who  needs  it  if  he  but  wash  himself  with  it.  If 
the  blind  knew  this,  how  many  are  there  who  would  once 
more  be  able  to  see  who  now  think  it  impossible  !” 

When  the  Tailor  heard  this  he  took  his  handkerchief, 
spread  it  on  the  grass,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  soaked  with 
dew  he  washed  his  eyeballs  therewith.  Immediately  the 
words  of  the  Crow  were  fulfilled,  and  he  saw  as  clearly  as 
ever.  In  a short  while  afterwards  the  Tailor  saw  the  sun 
rise  over  the  mountains,  and  before  him  in  the  distance  lay 
the  King’s  city,  with  its  magnificent  gates  and  hundred 
towers,  over  which  the  spires  and  pinnacles  began  to  glisten 
in  the  sunbeams.  He  discerned  every  leaf  upon  the  trees, 
every  bird  which  flew  by,  and  the  gnats  which  danced  in 
the  air.  He  took  a needle  out  of  his  pocket,  and,  when  he 
found  he  could  pass  the  thread  through  the  eye  as  easily 
as  ever,  his  heart  leaped  for  joy.  He  threw  himself  upon 
his  knees  and  thanked  God  for  the  mercy  shown  to  him, 
and  while  he  said  his  morning  devotions  he  did  not  forget  to 
pray  for  the  two  poor  sinners  who  swung  to  and  fro  in  the 
wind  like  the  pendulum  of  a clock.  Afterwards  he  took 
his  bundle  upon  his  back,  and,  forgetting  his  past  sorrows 
and  troubles,  he  jogged  along  singing  and  whistling. 

The  first  thing  he  met  was  a brown  Filly,  which  was 
running  about  in  the  fields  at  liberty.  The  Tailor  caught 
it  by  its  mane,  and  would  have  swung  himself  on  its  back 
to  ride  into  the  city,  but  the  Filly  begged  for  its  liberty, 
saying,  “ I am  still  too  young ; even  a light  Tailor  like  you 
would  break  my  back  ; let  me  run  about  till  I am  stronger ; 
a time,  perhaps,  will  come  when  I can  reward  you.” 

“ Run  away  then,”  replied  the  Tailor ; “ 1 sec  you  are 
still  a romp!”  and  with  these  words' he  gave  it  a cut  with 
a switch  which  made  it  lift  its  hind  legs  for  joy,  and  spring 
away  over  a hedge  and  ditch  into  a field. 


The  Two  Wanderers. 


45 


But  the  Tailor  had  eaten  nothing  since  the  previous 
day,  and  he  thought  to  himself,  “ The  sun  certainly  fills 
my  eyes,  but  the  bread  does  not  fill  my  mouth.  The  first 
thing  which  meets  me  now  must  suffer,  if  it  be  at  all  eat- 
able.” Just  then  a Stork  came  walking  very  seriously 
over  the  meadow.  “ Stop,  stop !”  cried  the  Tailor,  catching 
it  by  the  leg,  “I  don’t  know  if  you  are  fit  to  eat,  but  my 
hunger  will  not  admit  of  choice ; so  I must  chop  off  your 
head  and  roast  you.”  “ Do  it  not,”  answered  the  Stork  ; 
“ I am  a sacred  bird,  to  whom  nobody  offers  an  injury,  and 
I bring  great  profit  to  man.  Leave  me  alone,  and  then  1 
can  recompense  you  at  some  future  time.”  “ Be  off,  Cousin 
Long-legs,”  said  the  Tailor ; and  the  Stork,  raising  itself 
from  the  ground,  flew  gracefully  away,  with  its  long  legs 
hanging  downwards.  “ What  will  come  of  this?”  said  the 
Tailor  to  himself,  “ my  hunger  grows  ever  stronger,  and 
my  stomach  yet  more  empty : what  next  crosses  my  path 
is  lost.”  As  he  spoke  he  saw  a pair  of  young  Ducks  swim- 
ming upon  a pond.  “You  ha.ve  come  just  when  you  were 
called,”  cried  he,  and,  seizing  one  by  the  neck,  he  was 
about  to  twist  it  round,  when  an  old  bird  which  was  hid 
among  the  reeds  began  to  quack  loudly,  and  swam  with 
open  bill  up  to  the  Tailor,  begging  him  pitifully  to  spare 
her  dear  child.  “ Think  what  your  poor  mother  would 
say  if  one  fetched  you  away  and  put  an  end  to  your  life !” 
“Be  quiet!”  replied  the  good-natured  Tailor,  “you  shall 
have  your  child  again  ;”  and  he  put  the  prisoner  back  into 
the  water.  As  soon  as  he  turned  round  again  he  perceived 
the  old  hollow  tree,  and  the  wild  bees  flying  in  and  out. 
“Here  at  last  I shall  find  the  reward  of  my  good  deed,” 
said  the  Tailor ; “ the  honey  will  refresh  me.”  But  scarcely 
had  he  spoken  when  the  Queen  Bee  flew  out,  and  thus  ad- 
dressed him,  “If  you  touch  my  people,  and  disturb  my 
nest,  our  stings  shall  pierce  your  skin  like  ten  thousand  red- 
hot  needles.  Leave  us  in  peace,  and  go  your  own  way,  and 


46  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

perhaps  at  a future  time  you  shall  receive  a reward  for 
it.” 

The  Tailor  perceived  at  once  that  nothing  was  to  be 
had  there.  “ Three  empty  dishes  and  nothing  in  the  fourth 
is  a bad  meal,”  thought  he  to  himself;  and,  trudging  on,  he 
soon  got  into  the  city,  where,  as  it  was  about  noon,  he 
found  a dinner  ready  cooked  in  the  inn,  and  gladly  sat 
down  to  table.  When  he  was  satisfied  he  determined  to 
go  and  seek  work,  and,  as  he  walked  around  the  city,  he 
soon  found  a master,  who  gave  him  a good  welcome. 
Since,  however,  he  knew  his  business  thoroughl}',  it  very 
soon  happened  that  he  became  quite  famed,  and  everybody 
would  have  his  new  coat  made  by  the  little  Tailor.  Every 
day  added  to  his  consequence,  and  he  said  to  himself,  “ I 
can  get  no  higher  in  my  art,  and  yet  every  day  trade  gets 
brisker.”  At  length  he  was  appointed  court  tailor. 

But  how  things  do  turn  out ! The  same  day  his  for- 
mer comrade  was  made  court  shoemaker ; and  when  he 
saw  the  Tailor,  and  remarked  that  his  eyes  were  as  bright 
and  good  as  ever,  his  conscience  pricked  him.  But  he 
thought  to  himself,  “ Before  he  revenges  himself  on  me  I 
must  lay  a snare  for  him.”  How,  he  who  digs  a pit  for 
another  often  falls  into  it  himself.  In  the  evening,  when 
the  Shoemaker  had  left  off  work,  and  it  was  become  quite 
dark,  he  slipped  up  to  the  King  and  whispered,  “ May  it 
please  your  Majesty,  this  Tailor  is  a high-minded  fallow, 
and  has  boasted  that  he  can  procure  again  the  crown  which 
has  been  lost  so  long.” 

“ That  would  please  me  much  !”  replied  the  King ; 
“ but  let  the  Tailor  come  here  to-morrow.”  When  he  came, 
the  King  ordered  him  to  find  the  crown  again,  or  to  leave 
the  city  for  ever.  “ Oho  ! oho  !”  thought  the  Tailor  ; “ a 
rogue  gives  more  than  he  has.  If  the  crusty  old  King 
desires  from  me  what  no  man  can  produce,  I will  not  wait 
till  morning,  but  this  very  day  make  my  escape  out  of  the 


The  Two  Wajstderers. 


47 


town.”  So  thinking,  he  tied  together  his  bundle,  and 
marched  out  of  the  gate ; but  it  grieved  him  sorely  to 
give  up  his  business,  and  to  turn  his  back  upon  the  city 
wherein  he  had  been  so  fortunate.  Soon  he  came  to  the 
pond  where  he  had  made  acquaintance  with  the  ducks,  and 
there  sat  the  old  one  whose  children  he  had  spared  by  the 
shore,  pluming  herself  with  her  bill.  She  recognised  him, 
and  asked  why  he  hung  his  head  so.  “ You  will  not  won- 
der,” he  replied,  “ when  you  hear  what  has  happened ;” 
and  he  told  her  his  story.  “ If  that  be  all,”  said  the  Duck, 

“ we  can  assist  you.  The  crown  has  fallen  into  the  water, 
and  lies  at  the  bottom,  whence  we  will  soon  fetch  it. 
Meanwhile  spread  your  handkerchief  out  on  the  shore.” 
With  these  words  the  Duck  dived  down  with  her  twelve 
young  ones,  and  in  five  minutes  they  were  up  again  carry-* 
ing  the  crown,  which,  resting  on  the  old  bird’s  wings,  was 
borne  up  by  the  bills  of  the  twelve  ducklings  who  swam 
around.  They  came  to  shore  and  laid  the  crown  on  the 
handkerchief.  You  could  not  believe  how  beautiful  it  was; 
for  when  the  sun  shone  on  it  it  glittered  like  a hundred 
carbuncles.  The  Tailor  tied  it  up  in  his  handkerchief  and 
carried  it  to  the  King,  who  was  so  much  pleased  that  he 
gave  its  finder  a chain  of  gold  to  hang  round  his  neck. 

When  the  Shoemaker  found  his  first  plan  had  failed  he 
contrived  a second,  and,  stepping  before  the  King,  said, 

“ May  it  please  your  Majesty,  the  Tailor  has  grown  so  high- 
minded  again,  he  boasts  he  can  model  in  wax  the  whole 
castle  and  all  that  is  in  it,  fixed  and  unfixed,  indoors  and 
outdoors.”  The  King  thereupon  caused  the  Tailor  to  be 
summoned,  and  ordered  him  to  model  in  wax  the  whole 
castle,  and  everything  inside  and  outside  ; and  if  he  did  not 
complete  it,  or  even  omitted  one  nail  upon  the  wall,  he 
should  be  kept  prisoner  underground  all  his  lifetime. 
The  Tailor  thought  to  himself,  “ It  comes  harder  and 
harder  upon  me  ; no  man  can  do  that  1”  and,  throwing  his 


48 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


bundle  over  bis  shoulder,  he  walked  out  at  the  gate. 
When  he  came  to  the  hollow  tree  he  sat  down,  and  hun^ 
his  head  in  despair.  The  Bees  came  flying  out,  and  the 
Queen  asked  if  he  had  a stiff  neck,  because  he  kept  his 
head  in  such  a position.  “ Oh,  no  !”  he  replied  ; “ some- 
thing else  oppresses  me  !”  and  he  related  what  the  King 
had  demanded  of  him.  The  Bees  thereupon  began  to  hum 
and  buzz  together,  and  the  Queen  said  to  the  Tailor,  “ Go 
home  now,  but  return  in  the  morning,  and  bring  a great 
napkin  with  you,  and  about  this  hour  all  will  be  ready.” 
So  he  returned  home,  and  the  Bees  flew  to  the  royal 
palace,  right  in  at  the  open  window,  crept  into  every  cor- 
ner, and  observed  all  the  things  in  the  most  minute  man- 
ner. Then  they  flew  back  and  formed  a castle  in  wax 
‘with  great  speed,  so  that  it  was  ready  by  the  evening. 
The  next  morning  the  Tailor  came,  and  there  stood  the 
whole  beautiful  building,  with  not  a nail  upon  the  wall 
or  a tile  upon  the  roof  omitted,  but  all  was  delicately  white, 
and,  moreover,  as  sweet  as  sugar.  The  Tailor  wrapped  it 
carefully  in  his  cloth,  and  took  it  to  the  King,  who  could 
not  sufficiently  admire  it,  and  gave  him  a house  made  of 
stone  as  a reward. 

The  Shoemaker,  however,  was  not  satisfied,  and  went 
again  to  the  King;  and  said,  “May  it  please  your  Majesty, 
it  has  come  to  the  ears  of  the  Tailor  that  no  water  springs 
in  the  castle  yard ; and  he  has  therefore  boasted  that  it 
shall  gush  up  in  the  middle,  clear  as  crystal.”  The  King 
ordered  the  Tailor  to  be  summoned,  and  told  him  that  if  a 
stream  of  water  was  not  running  the  following  morning, 
as  he  had  said,  the  executioner  should  make  him  a head 
shorter  in  that  very  court.  The  poor  Tailor  did  not  think 
very  long,  but  rushed  out  of  the  gate,  and,  as  he  remem- 
bered his  life  was  in  danger,  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks. 
Whilst  he  sat  thus,  full  of  grief,  the  Filly  came  jumping 
towards  him  to  which  he  had  once  given  liberty,  and 


The  Two  Wanderers. 


49 


which  had  became  a fine  brown  horse.  “ Now  is  the  hour 
come,”  it  said  to  the  Tailor,  “ when  I can  reward  your  kind- 
ness. I know  already  what  you  need,  and  will  soon  assist 
you ; but  now  sit  upon  my  back,  which  could  carry  two 
like  you.”  The  Tailor’s  heart  came  again,  and  he  vaulted 
into  the  saddle,  and  the  horse  carried  him  full  speed  into 
the  town,  and  straight  to  the  castle-yard.  There  it  coursed 
thrice  round  as  quick  as  lightning,  and  at  the  third  time 
fell  down.  At  the  same  moment  a fearful  noise  was  heard, 
and  a piece  out  of  the  ground  of  the  court  sprang  up  into 
the  air  like  a ball,  and  bounded  away  far  over  the  castle ; 
and  at  the  same  time  a stream  of  water,  as  high  as  the  man 
and  his  horse,  and  as  clear  as  crystal,  played  up  and  down 
like  a fountain,  and  the  sunbeams  danced  on  it.  As  soon 
as  the  King  saw  this  he  was  astounded,  and  went  up  and 
embraced  the  Tailor  before  all  his  court. 

But  this  fortune  did  not  last  long.  The  King  had 
daughters  enough,  and  each  one  prettier  than  the  other, 
but  no  son  at  all. 

Now,  the  wicked  Shoemaker  went  for  the  fourth  time 
to  the  King,  and  said,  “ May  it  please  your  Majesty,  the 
Tailor  is  as  high-minded  as  ever.  Now  he  has  boasted  that, 
if  he  might,  he  could  bring  the  King  a son  down  from  the 
air.”  Thereupon  the  King  ordered  the  Tailor  to  be  sum- 
moned, and  said,  “If  you  bring  me  a son  within  nine  days 
you  shall  have  my  eldest  daughter  as  a wife.”  “ The  re- 
ward is  immense,”  thought  the  Tailor;  “and  one  may  as 
well  have  it  as  another ; but  now  the  cherries  hang  too  high 
for  me,  and  if  I climb  after  them  the  branches  will  break 
beneath  me,  and  I shall  fall  down.”  So  thinking,  he  went 
home,  set  himself  with  his  legs  crossed  under  him  upon  his 
work-table,  and  considered  what  he  should  do.  “ It  is  of 
no  use,”  he  cried  at  length ; “ I must  be  off,  I cannot  rest 
in  peace  here !”  So  he  tied  up  his  bundle  and  hurried  out 
of  the  door;  but  just  as  he  arrived  upon  the  meadow  he 
VOL.  ir. — 3 • E 


50 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


perceived  his  old  friend  the  Stork,  who,  like  a world-wise 
man,  walked  up  and  down,  awhile  stood  still  and  con- 
sidered a frog  nearer,  and  at  length  snapped  it  up.  The 
Stork  came  up  and  greeted  him.  “ I see,”  said  it,  “ you 
have  your  bundle  upon  your  back ; why  have  you  left  the 
city  ?”  The  Tailor  told  the  Stork  what  the  King  had  com- 
manded of  him,  and  how,  as  he  could  not  do  it,  he  was 
grieving  at  his  ill  luck.  “ Do  not  let  your  grey  hairs  grow 
on  that  account !”  replied  the  Stork,  “I  will  assist  you  out 
of  your  trouble  ! Sometimes  already  I have  brought  in- 
fants into  the  city  ; and  I can  also  fetch  a little  prince  out 
of  the  spring.  Go  home  and  keep  quiet.  In  nine  days 
return  to  the  royal  palace,  and  I will  come  thither  also.” 
The  Tailor  went  home,  and  on  the  right  day  went  to 
the  palace.  In  a short  time  the  Stork  came  flying  through 
the  air,  and  knocked  at  the  window.  The  Tailor  opened 
it,  and  cousin  Longlegs  marched  gravely  in,  and  with 
stately  steps  passed  over  the  marble  floors,  carrying  in  his 
beak  a child,  as  beautiful  to  look  at  as  an  angel,  and  already 
stretching  out  its  hands  towards  the  Queen.  The  Stork 
laid  it  upon  her  lap,  and  she  embraced  and  kissed  it,  almost 
beside  herself  with  joy.  Before  he  flew  away  he  took  a 
knapsack  off  his  shoulder,  and  handed  it  to  the  Queen ; 
and  therein  were  dates  and  coloured  bonbons,  which  were 
divided  among  the  Princesses.  But  the  eldest  received 
none,  because  she  took  instead  the  merry  young  Tailor  as 
husband.  “It  seems  to  me,”  said  the  Tailor,  “as  if  I had 
won  a great  game.  My  mother  rightly  said,  ‘ He  who 
trusts  in  God  and  his  own  fortune  will  never  go  amiss.’  ” 
The  Shoemaker  had  to  make  the  shoes  in  which  the 
Tailor  danced  at  the  wedding,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  done 
them  he  was  ordered  to  leave  the  city.  The  road  from 
thence  to -the  forest  led  him  past  the  gallows;  and,  from 
rage,  disappointment,  and  weariness  with  the  heat  of  the 
day,  he  threw  himself  on  the  ground  beneath  it.  As  soon 


THE  TWO  WANDERERS.  Vol.  II.  Pauf.  50. 


The  Two  Wanderers. 


51 


as  he  had  closed  his  eyes  and  prepared  to  go  to  sleep,  the 
two  Crows  flew  down  from  the  heads  of  the  two  criminals, 
and  with  loud  cries  pecked  out  the  Shoemaker’s  eyes. 
Insane  with  rage  and  pain  he  ran  into  the  forest,  and  there 
he  must  have  perished;  for  nobody  has  seen  or  heard 
anything  of  the  wicked  Shoemaker  ever  since. 


XCVII. 

The  Experienced  Huntsman. 


r 1 ^HERE  was  once  upon  a time  a young  Lad  who,  after 
he  had  learnt  the  art  of  making  locks,  told  his  Father 
he  wished  to  go  and  seek  his  fortune  in  the  world.  “ Well,” 
said  the  Father,  “very  well,  I am  contented;”  and  gave 
him  money  for  the  journey.  So  he  set  olf,  looking  about 
for  work;  but  after  a while  he  determined  to  follow  his 
trade  no  longer,  for  he  had  got  tired  of  it,  and  wished  to 
learn  the  art  of  hunting.  While  he  was  in  this  mood  he 
met  a Huntsman,  dressed  in  green,  who  asked  him  whence 
he  came,  and  whither  he  would  go.  The  Youth  told  him 
he  was  a locksmith,  but  his  business  did  not  suit  him  any 
longer,  and  he  had  a wish  to  learn  how  to  shoot,  if  he 
would  take  him  as  a pupil.  “ Oh,  yes,”  replied  the  other, 
“ come  with  me.”  The  youth  accompanied  him,  and  for 
several  years  abode  with  him  while  he  learned  the  art  of 
hunting.  Afterwards  he  wished  to  leave,  but  the  Hunts- 
man, gave  him  no  further  reward  than  an  air-gun,  which 
had  the  property  of  missing  nothing  at  which  it  was  fired. 
With  this  gift  he  went  off,  and  by-and-by  came  to  a very 
large  forest,  to  which  he  could  find  no  end  the  first  day ; 
so  he  perched  himself  upon  a lofty  tree  where  the  wild 
beasts  could  not  reach  him.  Towards  midnight  it  seemed 
to  him  that  a light  was  glimmering  at  a distance,  and  he 
peeped  through  the  boughs  in  order  to  mark  more  exactly 
where  it  was.  Then,  taking  his  hat,  he  threw  it  in  that 
direction  that  it  might  serve  as  a guide  for  him  when  he 
had  descended  the  tree  ; and  as  soon  as  he  was  down,  he 
ran  after  his  hat,  and,  putting  it  on  again,  he  walked 
straight  ahead.  The  farther  he  went  the  largei*  the  light 


The  Experienced  Huntsman.  53 

✓ 

appeared;  and  when  he  came  nearly  up  to  it  he  discovered 
that  it  was  caused  by  a great  fire,  round  which  three 
Giants  were  sitting,  watching  the  roasting  of  an  ox,  which 
hung  on  a spit  above  it.  Just  at  that  moment  one  of  the 
Giants  said  he  would  taste  and  see  if  the  meat  were  done 
enough ; and,  tearing  a piece  off,  he  was  going  to  put  it 
into  his  mouth,  when  the  Huntsman  shot  it  clean  out  of 
his  hand.  “ Now,  then,”  cried  the  Giant,  “ the  wind  blows 
the  meat  out  of  my  hand  !”  And,  taking  another  piece, 
he  was  about  to  bite  it  when  the  Huntsman  shot  that  out 
of  his  hand.  Thereupon  he  gave  the  Giant  next  to  him  a 
box  on  the  ear,  saying,  angrily,  “ Why  do  you  snatch  my 
piece  away  ?”  “ I did  not  take  it  away,”  replied  the  other ; 

“it  was  some  sharpshooter  who  shot  it  away.”  So  the 
Giant  took  a third  piece,  but  that  als<3  he  could  not  hold, 
for  the  Huntsman  shot  it  away.  “ This  must  be  a good 
shot,”  cried  all  the  Giants ; “ a man  who  can  shoot  away 
the  food  from  one’s  mouth  would  be  very  useful  to  us.” 
And  then,  speaking  louder,  they  called  to  him,  “ Come, 
you  sharpshooter,  sit  down  by  our  fire,  and  eat  till  you 
are  satisfied,  and  we  will  do  you  no  harm ; but  if  you 
don’t  come,  and  we  have  to  fetch  you,  you  will  be  lost.” 
At  these  words  the  Huntsman  stepped  up  to  the  fire, 
and  said  he  was  an  experienced  Huntsman,  so  much  so, 
that  whatever  he  aimed  at,  he  shot,  without  ever  missing. 
The  Giants  said  that  if  he  would  go  with  them  he  should 
be  well  treated;  and  they  told  him,  besides,  that  out  of  the 
forest  there  was  a large  piece  of  water,  on  the  other  side  of 
which  was  a tower,  wherein  dwelt  a beautiful  Princess, 
whom  they  desired  to  possess.  The  Huntsman  said -he 
would  willingly  fetch  her ; and  they  further  told  him  that 
outside  the  tower  lay  a little  dog,  which  would  begin  to 
bark  as  soon  as  it  saw  any  one  approach,  and  immediately 
it  did  so  everybody  would  wake  up  in  the  royal  palace ; 

• and  it  was  on  that  account  they  had  never  been  able  to 


54 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


enter,  and  therefore  he  must  first  shoot  the  dog.  To  this 
the  Huntsman  assented,  declaring  it  was  mere  play  ; and 
soon  afterwards  he  went  on  board  a ship,  and  sailed  over  the 
water ; and,  as  he  neared  the  land,  the  little  dog  came  run- 
ning down  and  would  have  barked,  but  he,  aiming  with  his 
air-gun,  shot  it  dead.  As  soon  as  the  Giants  saw  this  done 
they  were  very  glad,  and  thought  they  had  the  Princess 
for  certain  ; but  the  Huntsman  told  them  to  remain  where 
they  were  until  he  called  them,  for  he  must  first  see  how 
it  was  to  be  accomplished.  He  went  into  the  castle,  and 
found  everybody  as  still  as  mice,  for  they  were  fast  asleep  ; 
and  as  he  entered  the  first  room  he  saw  a sabre  hanging  up 
made  of  pure  silver,  and  ornamented  with  a golden  star 
and  the  king’s  name.  Below  it  stood  a table,  whereon  laid 
a sealed  letter,  which  he  broke  open,  and  read  that  who- 
ever possessed  the  sabre  could  bring  to  life  whomever  it 
passed.  The  Huntsman  took  the  sabre  down  from  the 
wall,  and,  hanging  it  around  him,  walked  on  till  he  came 
to  a room,  where  the  king’s  daughter  lay  asleep.  She  was 
so  beautiful  that  he  stood  still  and  looked  at  her,  holding 
his  breath,  while  he  thought,  “ How  dare  I deliver  this  in- 
nocent maiden  into  the  power  of  these  Giants,  with  their 
evil  intentions?”  He  peeped  about,  and  under  the  bed 
espied  a pair  of  slippers ; on  the  right  one  was  marked  the 
king’s  name,  with  a star  ; and  on  the  left  his  daughter’s,  also 
with  a star.  She  had  also  a large  handkerchief  over  her, 
woven  of  silk  and  gold,  having  on  the  right  side  her  father’s 
name,  and  on  the  left  her  own,  all  done  in  golden  threads. 
So  the  Huntsman  took  a knife  and  cut  off  the  right  corner, 
and  then  he  took  the  slipper  with  the  King’s  name  in  it, 
and  put  them  both  in  his  knapsack.  All  the  while  the 
Princess  remained  quite  passive;  and  as  she  was  wrapped 
up  in  a sheet,  the  Huntsman  cut  off  a piece  of  that,  as  well 
as  the  handkerchief,  and  put  it  in  his  knapsack  with  the 
others.  All  these  things  he  did  without  touching  her, 


The  Experienced  Huntsman. 


55 


and  afterwards  went  away  without  noise.  When  he  got 
outside  he  found  the  three  Giants,  who  were  waiting  in 
expectation  that  he  would  bring  the  Princess  with  him. 
He  shouted  to  them  to  come  in,  for  the  maiden  was  already 
in  his  power,  but  he  could  not  open  the  door,  and  there- 
fore they  must  creep  through  a hole  which  was  in  the 
wall.  The  first  Giant  came,  and,  as  soon  as  he  poked  his 
head  through  the  hole,  the  Huntsman  seized  him  by  the 
hair  and  chopped  his  head  off  with  the  sabre.  Then  he 
pulled  the  body  through,  and  called  to  the  second,  whose 
head  he  chopped  off  likewise,  and  then  the  third  Giant 
shared  the  same  fate.  As  soon  as  this  was  done  he  cut  out 
the  tongue  of  each  and  put  it  in  his  knapsack,  rejoicing  to 
think  he  had  freed  the  Princess  from  her  enemies.  He  re- 
solved next  to  visit  his  father,  and  show  him  what  he  had 
done,  and  afterwards  to  travel  again  about  the  world  ; for, 
said  he,  “ The  fortune  which  God  apportions  to  me  will 
reach  me  anywhere!” 

Meanwhile  the  King  of  the  castle,  when  he  awoke,  had 
perceived  the  three  Giants  lying  dead  in  the  hall,  and, 
going  into  his  daughter’s  apartment,  he  awoke  her,  and  in- 
quired who  it  was  that  had  destroyed  the  Giants.  “ I know 
not,  dear  father,”  she  replied;  “I  have  been  sleeping.” 
But  when  she  arose,  and  wished  to  put  on  her  slippers,  she 
found  the  one  for  the  right  foot  missing ; and  her  hand- 
kerchief also  wanted  the  right-hand  corner,  which  had  been 
cut  off,  as  well  as  a piece  out  of  the  sheet.  The  King  there- 
upon caused  the  whole  court  to  be  assembled,  soldiers  and 
every  one,  and  then  put  the  question,  who  had  freed  his 
daughter  and  put  to  death  the  Giants  ? Mow  the  King- 
had  a captain,  a one-eyed  and  ugly  man,  who  said  he  had 
done  it.  The  old  King,  therefore,  declared  that  since  it 
was  he,  he  must  marry  the  Princess.  But  as  soon  as  he 
said  so  the  Princess  exclaimed,  “ Bather  than  marry  him, 
dear  father,  I will  wander  over  the  world  as  far  as  my  feet 


56 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


will  carry  me !”  The  King  replied  she  might  do  as  she 
pleased ; but  if  she  would  not  marry  the  man  she  must 
take  off  her  royal  clothes,  and  put  on  peasant’s  clothes  to 
travel  in,  and,  also,  she  must  go  to  a potter,  and  begin 
business  in  the  earthenware  trade.  So  the  King’s  daughter 
drew  off  her  royal  clothes,  and  went  to  a potter,  from  whom 
she  hired  a crate  of  earthenware,  and  promised  that  if  she 
had  sold  them  by  the  evening  she  would  pay  for  them. 
The  King  commanded  her  to  sit  at  a certain  corner  of  the 
market,  across  which  he  ordered  that  several  waggons 
should  be  driven,  so  as  to  crush  in  pieces  all  the  crockery. 
By-and-by,  therefore,  when  the  Princess  had  stationed  her- 
self in  the  appointed  place,  the  waggons  came  driving  past 
and  smashed  her  goods.  Thereupon  she  began  to  cry, 
saying,  “Ah,  heaven ! how  am  I to  pay  the  potter?”  But 
the  King  hoped  by  this  means  to  have  compelled  his 
daughter  to  marry  the  captain  ; instead  of  which  she  went 
to  the  potter  and  asked  if  he  would  trust  her  with  another 
crate.  He  refused  till  she  should  pay  for  the  former  one  ; 
and  so  the  Princess  was  forced  to  go  crying  and  groaning 
to  her  father,  that  she  wished  to  wander  into  the  wide 
world.  The  King  said,  “ I will  cause  a cottage  to  be  built 
in  the  middle  of  the  wood,  wherein  you  shall  sit  all  your 
lifetime,  and  cook  for  anybody  who  comes,  but  without 
taking  money  for  it.”  When  the  house  wras  ready  a sign 
was  hung  over  the  door,  on  which  was  inscribed — 

“ Gratis  to-day  : To-morrow,  payment !” 

There  she  sat  for  a long  time,  while  it  was  talked  about 
in  the  world  around  that  a maiden  sat  in  a cottage  in  the 
wood,  and  cooked  gratis,  as  was  stated  on  a sign  over  the 
door.  This  the  Huntsman  heard,  and  he  thought  to  him- 
self; “ This  is  good  news  for  me,, who  am  so  poor,  and  have 
no  money.”  So  he  took  his  air-gun  and  knapsack,  in 
which  he  kept  all  the  memorials  he  had  brought  away 


The  Experienced  Huntsman. 


57 


from  the  castle ; and,  going  into  the  forest,  came  soon  to 
the  cottage  where  was  written  up — 

“ Gratis  to-day  : To-morrow,  payment.” 

Now,  he  had  the  sword  buckled  round  him  which  he 
had  used  to  execute  the  three  Giants;  and  he  stepped 
into  the  cottage  and  ordered  something  to  eat.  The 
Princess  asked  him  whence  he  came  and  whither  he 
was  going;  and  he  replied,  “I  am  wandering  about  the 
world.”  She  asked  next  where  he  procured  his  sword,  on 
which  she  perceived  her  father’s  name.  “Are  you  the 
daughter  of  the  King?”  he  inquired;  and,  as  she  nodded 
assent,  he  said,  “ With  this  sword  I have  cut  off  the  heads 
of  three  Giants !”  and  he  held  up  the  three  tongues  for  a 
token,  together  with  the  slipper,  and  the  pieces  which  he  had 
cut  off  the  handkerchief  and  sheet.  The  Princess  was  glad 
indeed  to  see  these  things,  and  told  the  Huntsman  it  was  he 
who  had  saved  her.  Then  they  went  to  the  King  ; and  the 
Princess  led  him  to  her  chamber,  and  declared  that  it  was 
the  Huntsman  who  had  delivered  her  from  the  three  Giants. 
The  King  at  first  would  not  believe ; but  as  soon  as  he 
was  shown  the  tokens  he  could  no  longer  doubt ; and,  in 
order  to  show  his  pleasure  and  his  gratitude,  he  promised 
his  daughter  to  the  Huntsman  as  his  wife,  which  pleased 
the  Princess  very  much.  Afterwards  the  King  ordered 
a grand  banquet,  whereat  the  Huntsman  appeared  as  a dis- 
tinguished stranger.  When  they  sat  down  to  table  the 
Captain  took  his  place  on  the  left  hand  of  the  King’s 
daughter,  and  the  Huntsman,  whom  the  former  believed 
to  be  a visitor  of  rank,  on  the  right.  When  they  had 
finished  eating  and  drinking,  the  old  King  told  the  Captain 
he  would  propound  a question,  which  he  must  answer,  and 
it  was  this : — “ If  one  should  say  he  had  killed  three  Giants, 
and  was  asked  therefore  where  the  tongues  of  the  Giants 
were,  and  should  then  go  to  seek  them  and  find  none,  how 
vol.  n. — 3s 


58 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


would  tie  explain  that?”  “ By  saying  that  they  had  had 
none!”  replied  the  Captain.  “Not  so  !”  said  the  King; 
“ every  creature  has  a tongue ; therefore,  what  would  such 
an  one  deserve  for  his  answer  ?”  “ To  be  torn  in  pieces !” 

said  the  Captain  boldly. 

“You  have  pronounced  your  own  sentence!”  said  the 
King  to  the  Captain ; who  was  first  imprisoned,  and  after- 
wards torn  in  four  pieces.  But  the  Huntsman  was  married 
to  the  King’s  daughter ; and  after  the  wedding  he  invited 
his  father  and  mother  to  live  with  him ; and,  after  the  old 
King’s  death,  the  Huntsman  ascended  the  throne. 


XCVIII. 


Professor  Know-all 


LOjSTG  time  ago  there  lived  a peasant  named  “ Crab,’1 


who  one  day  drove  into  a certain  city  his  cart  laden 
with  a bundle  of  faggots,  drawn  by  two  oxen.  He  soon 
found  a purchaser  for  his  wood  in  the  person  of  a learned 
Professor,  who  bought  it  for  two  dollars,  and,  while  the 
money  was  being  counted  out,  the  Peasant,  peeping  in  at 
the  door,  saw  how  comfortably  his  customer  was  eating 
and  drinking ; and  the  thought  thereupon  came  into  his 
head  that  he  would  like  to  be  a professor  too.  So  he 
waited  a little  while,  and  at  last  mustered  courage  to  ask 
whether  he  could  not  be  a professor.  “ Oh,  yes,”  replied 
the  Professor,  “ that  can  soon  be  managed !” 

“ What  must  I do  ?”  asked  the  Peasant. 

“ First  of  all  buy  an  A B C book,  one  which  has  a cock- 
a-doodle-doo  for  a frontispiece ; secondly,  sell  your  cart  and 
oxen,  and  turn  them  into  money  to  buy  good  clothes  with, 
and  what  else  belongs  to  a professor’s  appearance ; lastly, 
let  a sign  be  painted,  with  the  words,  ‘ I am  the  Professor 
Know-all,’  and  nail  that  over  your  house  door.” 

The  Countryman  did  all  that  he  was  told,  and  after  he 
had  practised  a little  time,  but  not  to  much  purpose,  a 
certain  very  wealthy  Baron  had  some  money  stolen  from 
him.  Mention  was  made  to  the  Baron  of  this  Professor 
Know-all  who  dwelt  in  such  a village,  and  who  would  be 
sure  to  know  where  the  money  was  gone.  As  soon  as  the 
Baron  heard  of  him,  he  ordered  his  horses  into  his  carriage 
and  drove  to  the  place  where  the  Professor  lived.  The 
Baron  inquired  if  he  were  the  Professor  Know-all,  and,  he 


60 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


replying  “Yes,”  the  Baron  said  he  must  return  with  him 
and  discover  his  money. 

“Very  well,”  replied  the  Professor;  “but  my  wife 
Gertrude  must  accompany  me.” 

To  this  the  Baron  agreed,  and,  all  being  seated  in  the 
carriage,  away  they  drove  back  again.  When  they  arrived 
at  the  house,  a splendid  collation  was  on  the  table,  of  which 
the  Professor  was  invited  to  partake.  “Certainly,”  said 
he,  “but  my  wife  Gertrude  too;”  and  he  sat  down  -with 
her  at  the  bottom  of  the  table.  As  soon  as  the  first  servant 
entered  with  a dish  of  delicate  soup,  the  Professor  poked 
his  wife,  saying,  “ He  is  the  first !”  meaning  he  was  the 
first  who  had  brought  in  meat.  But  the  servant  imagined 
he  meant  to  say,  “He  is  the  first  thief!”  and,  because  he 
really  was  so,  he  felt  very  much  disturbed,  and  told  his 
comrades  in  the  kitchen,  “ The  Professor  knows  all ; we 
shall  come  off  badly,  for  he  has  said  I am  the  first!” 
When  the  second  servant  heard  this  he  felt  afraid  to  go  ; 
but  he  was  obliged,  and,  as  soon  as  he  entered  the  room 
with  his  dish,  the  man  poked  his  wife  again,  and  said, 
“ Gertrude,  that  is  the  second !”  This  frightened  the 
servant  so  much  that  he  left  the  room  as  soon  as  possible ; 
and  the  third  servant  who  entered  fared  no  better,  for  the 
Professor  said  to  his  wife,  “ That  is  the  third  !”  The  fourth 
servant  had  to  bring  in  a covered  dish,  and  the  Baron  said 
to  the  Professor  he  must  show  his  powers  by  telling  truly 
what  was  in  the  dish.  How,  there  were  crabs  in  it ; but 
the  Peasant  looked  at  the  dish,  ignorant  how  to  get  him- 
self out  of  the  scrape,  till  at  last  he  cried  out,  “ Oh,  poor 
Crab  that  I am !”  When  the  Baron  heard  this  he  ex- 
claimed, “ Good ! he  knows  it ! he  knows,  too,  where  my 
money  is!” 

The  servant,  however,  was  terribly  frightened  ; and  he 
winked  to  the  Professor  to  follow  him  out.  When  he  had 
done  so,  he  found  all  four  servants  there  who  had  stolen 


Professor  Knott-all. 


61 


the  money,  and  were  now  so  eager  to  get  off  that  they 
offered  him  a large  sum  if  he  would  not  betray  them ; for 
if  he  did  their  necks  would  be  in  danger.  They  led  him 
also  to  the  place  where  the  money  lay  hid,  and  the  Pro- 
fessor was  so  pleased  that  he  gave  them  the  required 
promise,  and  then  returned  to  the  house,  where  he  sat 
down  again  at  table,  and,  producing  his  book,  said,  “ I 
will  now  look  in  my  book,  Baron,  and  discover  the  place 
where  the  money  lies.”  A fifth  servant,  who  had  had  a 
share  in  the  robbery,  wished  to  hear  if  the  Professor  knew 
more,  and  so  he  crept  up  the  chimney  to  listen.  Below 
sat  the  countryman,  turning  the  leaves  of  his  book  back- 
wards and  forwards,  forwards  and  backwards,  looking  for 
the  Cock-a-doodle-doo.  However,  he  could  not  find  it,  and 
he  at  length  exclaimed,  “ You  must  come  out,  for  I know 
you  are  in !”  This  made  the^  servant  up  the  chimney 
believe  he  meant  him,  and  down  he  slipped,  and  got  out, 
crying,  “ The  man  knows  all,  the  man  knows  all !” 

Then  Professor  Know-all  showed  the  Baron  where  he 
money  lay ; but  he  said  nothing  about  w’ho  had  stolen  it, 
so  that  from  both  sides  he  received  a large  sum  of  money 
as  a reward,  and,  moreover,-  he  became  a very  celebrated 
character. 


P 


XCIX. 


Bearskin 


HEBE  was  once  upon  a time  a young  fellow  who 


enlisted  for  a soldier,  and  became  so  brave  and  cou- 
rageous that  he  was  always  in  the  front  ranks  when  it 
rained  blue  beans.  As  long  as  the  war  lasted  all  went 
well,  but  when  peace  was  concluded  he  received  his  dis- 
charge, and  the  captain  told  him  he  might  go  where  he 
liked.  His  parents  meanwhile  had  died,  and  as  he  had  no 
longer  any  home  to  go  to  he  paid  a visit  to.  his  brothers, 
and  asked  them  to  give  him  shelter  until  war  broke  out 
again.  His  brothers,  however,  were  hardhearted,  and 
said,  “What  could  we  do  with  you?  we  could  make 
nothing  of  you  ; see  to  what  you  have  brought  yourself 
and  so  turned  a deaf  ear.  The  poor  soldier  had  nothing 
but  his  musket  left;  so  he  mounted  this  on  his  shoulder 
and  set  out  on  tramp.  By-and-by  he  came  to  a great  heath 
with  nothing  on  it  but  a circle  of  trees,  under ‘which  he 
sat  down,  sorrowfully  considering  his  fate.  “I  have  no 
money,”  thought  he;  “I  have  learnt  nothing  but  soldier- 
ing, and  now,  since  peace  is  concluded,  there  is  no  need 
of  me.  I see  well  enough  I shall  have  to  starve.”  All  at 
once  he  heard  a rustling,  and  as  he  looked  round  he  per- 
ceived a stranger  standing  before  him,  dressed  in  a grey 
coat,  who  looked  very  stately,  but  had  an  ugly,  cloven  foot. 
“I  know  quite  well  what  you  need,”  said  this  being; 
“gold  and  other  possessions  you  shall  have,  as  much  as 
you  can  spend ; but  first  I must  know  whether  you  are  a 
coward  or  not,  that  I may  not  spend  my  money  foolishly.” 
“A  soldier  and  a coward!”  replied  the  other,  “that 
cannot  be  ; you  may  put  me  to  any  proof.” 


Bearskin. 


68 


“ Well  then,”  replied  the  stranger,  “ look  behind  you.” 
The  Soldier  turned  and  saw  a huge  bear,  -which  eyed 
him  very  ferociously.  “ Oho !”  cried  he,  “ I will  tickle 
your  nose  for  you,  that  you  shall  give  us  the  pleasure  of 
grumbling;”  and,  raising  his  musket,  he  shot  the  bear  in 
the  forehead,  so  that  he  tumbled  in  a heap  upon  the  ground, 
and -did  not  stir  afterwards.  Thereupon  the  stranger  said, 
“I  see  quite  well  that  you  are  not  wanting  in  courage  ; but 
there  is  yet  one  condition  which  you  must  fulfil.”  “ If  it 
does  not  interfere  with  my  future  happiness,”  said  the  Sol- 
dier, who  had  remarked  who  it  was  that  addressed  him ; 
“ if  it  does  not  interfere  with  that  I shall  not  hesitate.” 
“That  you  must  see  about  yourself!”  said  the  stranger. 
“For  the  next  seven  years  you  must  not  wash  yourself, 
nor  comb  your  hair  or  beard,  neither  must  you  cut  your 
nails  nor  say  one  pater-noster.  Then  I will  give  you  this 
coat  and  mantle,  which  you  must  wear  during  these  seven 
years ; and  if  you  die  within  that  time  you  are  mine,  but 
if  you  live  you  are  rich,  and  free  all  your  life  long.” 

The  Soldier  reflected  for  a while  on  his  great  necessities, 
and,  remembering  how  often  he  had  braved  death,  he  at 
length  consented,  and  ventured  to  accept  the  offer.  There- 
upon the  Evil  One  pulled  off  the  grey  coat,  handed  it  to 
the  soldier,  and  said,  “If  you  at 'Any  time  search  in  the 
pocket  of  your  coat  when  you  have  it  on,  you  will  always 
find  your  hand  full  of  money.”  Then  also  he  pulled  off 
the  skin  of  the  bear,  and  said,  “ That  shall  be  your  cloak 
and  your  bed ; you  must  sleep  on  it,  and  not  dare  to  lie  in 
any  other  bed,  and  on  this  account  you  shall  be  called 
Bearskin.”  Immediately  the  Evil  One  disappeared. 

The  Soldier  now  put  on  the  coat,  and  dipped  his  hands 
into  the  pockets  to  assure  himself  of  the  reality  of  the  trans- 
action. Then  he  hung  the  bearskin  around  himself,  and 
went  about  the  world  chuckling  at  his  good  luck,  and  buy- 
ing whatever  .suited  his  fancy  which  money  could  purchase. 


64: 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


For  the  first  year  his  appearance  was  not  very  remarkable, 
but  in  the  second  he  began  to  look  quite  a monster.  His 
hair  covered  almost  all  his  face,  his  beard  appeared  like  a 
piece  of  dirty  cloth,  his  nails  were  claws,  and  his  counte- 
nance was  so  covered  with  dirt  that  one  might  have  grown 
cresses  upon  it  if  one  had  sown  seed ! "Whoever  looked  at 
him  ran  away ; but,  because  he  gave  the  poor  in  every 
place  gold  coin,  they  prayed  that  he  might  not  die  during 
the  seven  years ; and,  because  he  paid  liberally  everywhere, 
he  found  a night’s  lodging  without  difficulty.  In  the 
fourth  year  he  came  to  an  inn  where  the  landlord  would 
not  take  him  in,  and  refused  even  to  give  him  a place  in 
his  stables,  lest  the  horses  should  be  frightened  and  become 
restive.  However,  when  Bearskin  put  his  hand  into  his 
pocket  and  drew  it  out  full  of  gold  ducats  the  landlord 
yielded  the  point,  and  gave  him  a place  in  the  outbuildings, 
but  not  till  he  had  promised  that  he  would  not  show  him- 
self, for  fear  the  inn  should  gain  a bad  name. 

While  Bearskin  sat  by  himself  in  the  evening,  wishing 
from  his  heart  that  tbe  seven  years  were  over,  he  heard  in 
the  corner  a loud  groan.  How  the  old  Soldier  had  a com- 
passionate heart,  so  he  opened  the  door  and  saw  an  old 
man  weeping  violently  and  wringing  his  hands.  Bearskin 
stepped  nearer,  but  the  old  man  jumped  up  and  tried  to 
escape:  but  when  he  recognised  a human  voice  he  let  him- 
self be  persuaded,  and  by  kind  words  and  soothings  on  the 
part  of  the  old  Soldier  he  at  length  disclosed  the  cause  of 
his  distress.  His  property  had  dwindled  away  by  degrees, 
and  he  and  his  daughters  would  have  to  starve,  for  he  was 
so  poor  that  he  had  not  the  money  to  pay  the  host,  and 
5 would  therefore  be  put  into  prison. 

“If  you  have  no  care  except  that,”  replied  Bearskin, 
“I  have  money  enough;”  and,  causing  the  landlord  to  be 
called,  he  paid  him,  and  put  a purse  full  of  gold  besides  in- 
to the  pocket  of  the  old  man.  The  latter,  when  he  saw 


Bearskin. 


65 


himself  released  from  his  troubles,  knew  not  how  to  be 
sufficiently  grateful,  and  said  to  the  Soldier,  “ Come  with 
me,  my  daughters  are  all  wonders  of  beauty,  so  choose  one 
of  them  for  a wife.  When  they  hear  what  you  have  done 
for  me  they  will  not  refuse  you.  You  appear  certainly  an 
uncommon  man,  but  they  will  soon  put  you  to  rights.” 

This  speech  pleased  Bearskin,  and  he  went  with  the  old 
man.  As  soon  as  the  eldest  daughter  saw  him,  she  was  so 
terrified  at  his  countenance  that  she  shrieked  out  and  ran 
away.  The  second  one  stopped  and  looked  at  him  from 
head  to  foot;  but  at  last  she  said,  “How  can  I take  a hus- 
band who  has  not  a bit  of  a human  countenance?  The 
grizzly  bear  would  have  pleased  me  better  who  came  to 
see  us  once,  and  gave  himself  out  as  a man,  for  he  wore  a 
hussar’s  hat,  and  had  white  gloves  on  besides.” 

But  the  youngest  daughter  said,  “ Dear  father,  this 
must  be  a good  man  who  has  assisted  you  out  of  your 
troubles;  if  you  have  promised  him  a bride  for  the  service 
your  word  must  be  kept.” 

(It  was  a pity  the  man’s  face  was  covered  with  dirt  and 
hair,  else  one  would  have  seen  how  he  laughed  as  he  heard 
these  words.)  Bearskin  took  a ring  off  his  finger,  broke 
it  in  two,  and,  giving  the  youngest  daughter  one  half,  he 
kept  the  other  for  himself.  On  her  half  he  wrote  his  name, 
and  on  his  own  he  wrote  hers,  and  begged  her  to  preserve 
it  carefully.  Thereupon  he  took  leave,  saying,  “For  three 
years  longer  I must  wander  about ; if  I come  back  again, 
then  we  will  celebrate  our  wedding ; but  if  I do  not,  you 
are  free,  for  I shall  be  dead.  But  pray  to  God  that  he  will 
preserve  my  life.” 

When  he  was  gone  the  poor  bride  clothed  herself  in 
black,  and  whenever  she  thought  of  her  bridegroom  burst 
into  tears.  From  her  sisters  she  received  nothing  but  scorn 
and  mocking.  “ Pay  great  attention  when  he  shakes  your 
hand,”  said -the  eldest,  “and  you  will  see  his  beautiful 


66 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


claws !”  “ Take  care !”  said  tlie  second,  “ bears  are  fond 

of  sweets,  and  if  }mu  please  him  he  will  eat  you  up,  per- 
haps !”  “You  must  mind  and  do  his  will,”  continued  the 
eldest,  “or  he  will  begin  growling!”  And  the  second 
daughter  said  further,  “But  the  wedding  will  certainly  be 
merry,  for  bears  dance  well !”  The  bride  kept  silence,  and 
would  not  be  drawn  from  her  purpose  by  all  these  taunts ; 
and  meanwhile  Bearskin  wandered  about  in  the  world, 
doing  good  where  he  could,  and  giving  liberally  to  the 
poor,  for  which  they  prayed  heartily  for  him.  At  length 
the  last  day  of  the  seven  years  approached,  and  Bearskin 
went  and  sat  down  again  on  the  heath,  beneath  the  circle 
of  trees.  In  a very  short  time  the  wind  whistled,  and  the 
Evil  One  presently  stood  before  him  and  looked  at  him 
Avith  a vexed  face.  He  threw  the  Soldier  his  old  coat,  and 
demanded  his  grey  one  back.  “We  have  not  got  so  far 
yet,”  replied  Bearskin  ; “ you  must  clean  me  first.”  Then 
the  Evil  One  had,  tvhether  he  liked  it  or  no,  to  fetch  water, 
wash  the  old  Soldier,  comb  his  hair  out,  and  cut  his  nails. 
This  done,  he  appeared  again  like  a brave  warrior,  and 
indeed  was  much  handsomer  than  before. 

As  soon  as  the  Evil  One  had  disappeared,  Bearskin  be- 
came quite  light-hearted;  and  going  into  the  nearest  town 
he  bought  a fine  velvet  coat,  and  hired  a carriage  drawn 
by  four  white  horses,  in  which  he  was  driven  to  the  house 
of  his  bride.  Nobody  knew  him  ; the  father  took  him  for 
some  celebrated  general,  and  led  him  into  the  room  where 
his  daughters  were.  He  tvas  compelled  to  sit  doAvn  between 
the  tAvo  eldest,  and  they  offered  him  wine,  and  heaped  his 
plate  Avith  the  choicest  morsels ; for  they  thought  they  had 
never  seen  any  one  so  handsome  before.  But  the  bride  sat 
opposite  to  him  dressed  in  black,  neither  opening  her  eyes 
nor  speaking  a Avord.  At  length  the  Soldier  asked  the 
father  if  he  Avould  give  him  one  of  his  daughters  to  wife, 
and  immediately  the  two  elder  sisters  arose,  and  ran  to 


Bearskin. 


67 


their  chambers  to  dress  themselves  out  in  their  most  be- 
coming clothes,  for  each  thought  she  should  be  chosen. 
Meanwhile  the  stranger,  as  soon  as  he  found  himself  alone 
with  his  bride,  pulled  out  the  half  of  the  ring  and  threw  it 
into  a cup  of  wine,  which  he  handed  across  the  table.  She 
took  it,  and  as  soon  as  she  had  drunk  it  and  seen  the  half 
ring  lying  at  the  bottom  her  heart  beat  rapidly,  and  she 
produced  the  other  half,  which  she  wore  round  her  neck 
on  a riband.  She  held  them  together,  and  they  joined 
each  other  exactly,  and  the  stranger  said,  “I  am  your 
bridegroom,  whom  you  saw  first  as  Bearskin ; but  through 
God’s  mercy  I have  regained  my  human  form,  and  am  my- 
self once  more.”  With  these  words  he  embraced  and  kissed 
her : and  at  the  same  time  the  two  eldest  sisters  entered  in 
full  costume.  As  soon  as  they  saw  that  the  very  handsome 
' man  had  fallen  to  the  share  of  their  youngest  sister,  and 
heard  that  he  was  the  same  as  “Bearskin,”  they  ran  out  of 
the  house  full  of  rage  and  jealousy. 


\ 


c. 

The  Wren  and  the  Bear. 


OISTE  summer’s  day  the  Bear  and  the  Wolf  were  walking 
in  the  Forest,  and  the  Bear  heard  a bird  singing  very 
sweetly,  and  said,  “Brother  Wolf,  what  kind  of  bird  is 
that  which  is  singing  so  delightfully?” 

“That  is  the  King  of  the  birds,  before  whom  we  must 
do  reverence,”  replied  the  Wolf ; but  it  was  only  the  Wren. 

“If  that  be  so,”  said  the  Bear,  “I  should  like  to  see 
his  royal  palace ; come,  lead  me  to  it.”  “ That  cannot  be 
as  you  like,”  replied  the  Wolf,  “you  must  wait  till  the 
Queen  returns.”  Soon  afterwards  the  Queen  arrived  with 
some  food  in  her  bill,  and  the  King  too,  to  feed  their 
young  ones,  and  the  Bear  would  have  gone  off  to  see  them, 
but  the  AVolf,  pulling  his  ear,  said,  “ No,  you  must  wait  till 
the  Queen  and  the  King  are  both  off  again.” 

So  after  observing  well  the  situation  of  the  nest  the  two 
tramped  off,  but  the  Bear  had  no  rest,  for  he  wished  still  to 
see  the  royal  palace,  and  after  a short  delay  he  set  off  to  it 
again.  He  found  the  King  and  Queen  absent,  and,  peeping 
into  the  nest,  he  saw  five  or  six  young  birds  lying  in  it. 
“Is  that  the  royal  palace?”  exclaimed  the  Bear;  “that  is  a 
miserable  palace ! you  are  no  King’s  children,  but  dishon- 
ourable young  brats.”  “ No,  no,  that  we  are  not !”  burst  out 
the  little  Wrens  together  in  a great  passion,  for  to  them 
this  speech  was  addressed.  “ No,  no,  we  are  born  of  hon- 
ourable parents,  and  you,  Mr.  Bear,  shall  make  your 
words  good  !”  At  this  speech  the  Bear  and  the  AVolf 
were  much  frightened  and  ran  back  to  their  holes;  but  the 
little  Wrens  kept  up  an  unceasing  clamour  till  their  pa- 
rents’ return.  As  soon  as  they  came  back  with  food  in 


The  Wren  and  the  Bear.  69 

their  mouths  the  little  birds  began,  “We  will  none  of  ns 
touch  a fly’s  leg,  but  will  starve  rather,  until  you  decide 
whether  we  are  honourable  children  or  not,  for  the  Bear 
has  been  here  and  insulted  us  !” 

“ Be  quiet,”  replied  the  King,  “ and  that  shall  soon  be 
settled,”  and  thereupon  he  flew  with  his  Queen  to  the  resi- 
dence of  the  Bear  and  called  to  him  from  the  entrance, 
“ Old  grumbler,  why  have  you  insulted  my  children  ? 
That  shall  cost  you  dear,  for  we  will  decide  the  matter  by 
a pitched  battle.” 

W ar  having  thus  been  declared  against  the  Bear,  all 
the  four-footed  beasts  were  summoned,  the  ox,  the  ass,  the 
cow,  the  goat,  the  stag,  and  every  animal  on  the  face  of  the 
earth.  The  Wren,  on  the  other  hand,  summoned  every 
flying  thing;  not  only  the  birds,  great  and  small,  but  also 
the  gnat,  the  hornet,  the  bee,  and  the  flies. 

When  the  time  arrived  for  the  commencement  of  the 
war  the  Wren  King  sent  out  spies  to  see  who  was  appointed 
commander-in-chief  of  the  enemy.  The  Gnat  was  the 
most  cunning  of  all  the  army,  and  he  therefore  buzzed 
away1'  into  the  forest  where  the  enemy  was  encamped,  and 
alighted  on  a leaf  of  the  tree  beneath  which  the  watch- 
word was  given  out.  There  stood  the  Bear  and  called  the 
Fox  to  him,  and  said,  “ You  are  the  most  crafty  of  animals, 
so  you  must  be  general,  and  lead  us  on.”  “ Well,”  said 
the  Fox,  “ but  what  sign  shall  we  appoint  ?”  Nobody 
knew.  Then  the  Fox  said,  “ I have  a fine  long  bushy  tail, 
which  looks  like  a red  feather  at  a distance ; if  I hold  this 
tail  straight  up  all  is  going  well  and  you  must  march  after 
me ; but  if  I suffer  it  to  hang  down,  run  away  as  fast  as 
you  can.”  As  soon  as  the  Gnat  heard  all  this  she  flew 
home  and  told  the  Wren  King  everything  to  a hair. 

When  the  day  arrived  for  the  battle  to  begin,  the  four- 
footed  beasts  all  came  running  along  to  the  field,  shaking  the 
earth  with  their  roaring  and  bellowing.  The  Wren  King 


70 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


also  came  with  his  army,  whirring  and  buzzing  and  hum- 
ming, enough  to  terrify  any  one  out  of  his  senses.  Then 
the  Wren  King  sent  the  Hornet  forward  to  settle  upon  the 
Fox’s  tail  and  sting  it  with  all  his  power.  As  soon  as  the 
Fox  felt  the  first  sting  he  drew  up  his  hind  leg  with  the 
pain,  still  carrying,  however,  his  tail  as  high  in  the  air  as 
before  ; at  the  second  sting  he  was  obliged  to  drop  it  a little 
bit ; but  at  the  third  he  could  no  longer  bear  the  pain,  but 
was  forced  to  drop  his  tail  between  his  legs.  As  soon  as 
the  other  beasts  saw  this,  they  thought  all  was  lost,  and 
began  to  run  each  one  to  his  own  hole ; so  the  birds  won 
the  battle  without  difficulty. 

When  all  was  over  the  Wren  King  and  his  Queen  flew 
home  to  their  children,  and  cried  out,  “ Rejoice  ! rejoice  ! 
we  have  won  the  battle  ; now  eat  and  drink  as  much  as 
you  please.” 

The  young  Wrens,  however,  said,  “ Still  we  will  not- 
eat till  the  Bear  has  come  to  our  nest  and  begged  pardon, 
and  admitted  that  we  are  honourable  children.” 

So  the  Wren  King  flew  back  to  the  cave  of  the  Bear, 
and  called  out,  “ Old  grumbler,  you  must  come  to  the  nest 
« and  beg  pardon  of  my7  children  for  calling  them  dishon- 
ourable, else  your  ribs  shall  be  crushed  in  your  body  !” 

In  great  terror  the  Bear  crept  out  and  begged  pardon; 
and  afterwards  the  young  Wrens,  being  now  made  happy 
in  their  minds,  settled  down  to  eating  and  drinking ; and  I 
am  afraid  they  made  themselves  tipsy,  for  they  kept  up 
their  merriment  till  it  was  very  late. 


The  Sweet  Soup. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a poor  but  pious  little  Girl 
who  lived  alone  with  her  mother,  and  when  mj  story 
begins  they  had  nothing  in  the  house  to  eat.  So  the  child 
went  out  into  the  forest,  and  there  she  met  with  an  old 
Woman,  who  already  knew  her  distress,  and  who  presented 
her  with  a pot  which  had  this  power : — if  one  said  to  it, 
“ Boil,  little  pot !”  it  would  cook  sweet  soup ; and  when 
one  said,  “ Stop,  little  pot !”  it  would  immediately  cease  to 
boil.  The  little  Girl  took  the  pot  home  to  her  mother,  and 
now  their  poverty  and  distresses  were  at  an  end,  for  they 
could  have  sweet  broth  as  often  as  they  pleased.  One 
day,  however,  the  little  Girl  went  out,  and  in  her  absence 
the  mother  said,  “ Boil,  little  pot ! So  it  began  to  cook, 
and  she  soon  ate  all  she  wished ; but  when  she  wanted  to 
have  the  pot  stop  she  found  she  did  not  know  the  word. 
Away,  therefore,  the  pot  boiled,  and  very  quickly  was 
over  the  edge;  and  as  it  boiled  and  boiled  the  kitchen 
presently  became  full,  then  the  house,  and  the  next 
house,  and  soon  the  whole  street.  It  seemed  likely  to 
satisfy  all  the  world,  for,  though  there  was  the  greatest 
necessity  to  do  so,  nobody  knew  how  to  stop  it.  At  last, 
when  only  a very  small  cottage  of  all  the  village  was  left 
unfilled  with  soup,  the  child  returned,  and  said  at  once, 
“ Stop,  little  pot !”  Immediately  it  ceased  to  boil  ; but 
whoever  wishes  to  enter  into  the  village  must  eat  his  way 
through  the  soup  ! ! ! 


CII. 


The  Faithful  Beasts. 


THERE  was  once  a Man  who  had  not  a great  deal  of 
money,  but  with  the  little  he  had  he  wandered  into 
the  wide  world.  Soon  he  came  to  a village  where  the  boys 
were  running  together  screaming  and  laughing,  and  he 
asked  them  what  was  the  matter.  “ Oh  I”  replied  they, 
“ we  have  got  a mouse  which  we  are  going  to  teach  to 
dance : only  see  what  a beautiful  spot  it  is ; how  it  will 
skip  round !”  The  Man,  however,  pitied  the  poor  Mouse, 
and  said,  “Let  it  escape,  my  boys,  and  I will  give  you 
money.”  So  he  gave  them  some  coppers,  and  they  let  the 
poor  animal  loose,  which  ran  as  fast  as  it  could  into  a hole 
close  by.  After  this  the  Man  went  on  and  came  to  another 
village,  where  the  boys  had  a Monkey,  which  they  forced 
to  dance  and  tumble,  and  laughed  at  without  letting  the 
poor  thing  have  any  rest.  To  these  also  the  Man  gave 
money  that  they  might  release  the  Monkey ; and  by-and- 
by,  coming  to  a third  village,  he  saw  the  boys  making  a 
Bear  in  chains  dance  and  stand  upright,  and  if  he  growled 
they  seemed  all  the  better  pleased.  This  animal’s  liberty 
the  Man  also  purchased,  and  the  Bear,  very  glad  to  find 
himself  on  his  four  feet  again,  tramped  away. 

The  Man,  however,  with  these  purchases  spent  all  his 
money,  and  he  found  he  had  not  a copper  farthing  even 
left  in  his  pocket.  So  he  said  to  himself,  “ The  King  has 
much  in  his  treasure-chamber  which  he  does  not  want: 
of  hunger  I cannot  die ; I must  take  some  of  this  money, 
and  then  when  I become  rich  I can  replace  it.”  With 
these  thoughts  he  managed  to  get  into  the  treasure-cham- 
ber and  took  a little  from  the  heaps,  but  as  he  was  slipping 


The  Faithful  Beasts. 


73 


out  lie  was  seized  by  the  King’s  guards.  They  said  he 
was  a thief,  and  took  him  before  the  justice,  who  sentenced 
him,  as  he  had  done  a criminal  act,  to  be  put  in  a chest 
on  the  water.  The  lid  ‘of  the  chest  was  full  of  holes 
whereby  he  might  obtain  air,  and,  besides,  a jug  of  water 
and  a loaf  of  bread  were  put  in  with  him.  While  he  was 
floating  about  in  great  distress  of  mind,  he  heard  some- 
thing gnawing  and  scratching  at  the  lock  of  his  chest,  and 
all  at  once  it  gave  way  and  up  flew  the  lid.  Then  he  saw 
the  Mouse  and  the  Monkey  and  the  Bear  standing  by,  and 
found  it  was  they  who  had  opened  the  chest  because  he 
had  helped  them;  but  the}''  did  not  know  how  to  proceed 
next,  so  they  held  a consultation  together.  In  the  mean 
while  a white  stone  rolled  by  into  the  water,  in  shape  like 
a round  egg.  “ That  has  come  in  the  very  nick  of  time,” 
said  the  Bear,  “for  it  is  a wonderful  stone,  which  whoever 
owns  he  can  wish  himself  in  whatever  place  he  desires.” 

. The  Man,  therefore,  picked  up  the  stone,  and  as  he  held 
it  in  hand  he  wished  himself  in  a castle  with  a garden  and 
stables.  Scarcely  had  he  done  so  when  he  found  himself 
in  a castle  with  a garden  and  stables  just  to  his  mind,  and 
everything  was  so  beautiful  and  nice  that  he  could  not 
admire  it  enough. 

After  a time  some  merchants  came  by  that  way,  and, 
as  they  passed,  one  called  to  the  others,  “ See  what  a noble 
castle  stands  here,  where  lately,  when  we  were  here  before, 
there  was  nothing  but  dreary  sand.”  Their  curiosity  was 
therefore  aroused,  and  they  entered  the  castle  and  inquired 
of  the  Man  how  he  had  managed  to  build  the  place  so 
quickly.  “ I did  not  do  it,”  said  he,  “ but  my  wonderful 
stone.”  “What  kind  of  a stone  can  it  be?”  inquired  the 
merchant ; and,  going  in,  the  Man  fetched  it  and  showed 
it  to  them.  The  sight  of  it  pleased  them  so  much  that 
they  inquired  if  it  were  not  for  sale,  and  offered  him  all 
their  beautiful  goods  in  exchange.  The  goods  took  the 
VOL.  II. — 4 


G 


74 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Man’s  fancy,  and,  his  heart  being  fickle  and  hankering 
after  new  things,  he  suffered  himself  to  be  persuaded  and 
thought  the  beautiful  things  were  worth  more  than  his 
stone,  so  he  gave  it  away  to  them  in  exchange.  But 
scarcely  had  he  given  it  out  of  his  hands  when  all  his 
fortune  vanished,  and  he  found  himself  again  in  his  float- 
ing chest  on  the  water  with  nothing  but  his  jug  of  water 
and  loaf  of  bread.  The  faithful  beasts,  the  Mouse,  Monkey, 
and  Bear,  as  soon  as  they  saw  his  misfortune,  came  again 
to  help  him,  but  they  could  not  manage  to  unfasten  the 
lock,  because  it  was  much  stronger  than  the  former  one. 
Thereupon  the  Bear  said,  “ We  must  procure  the  wonder- 
ful stone  again,  or  our  work  is  useless.”  Now,  the  mer- 
chants had  stopped  at  the  castle  and  lived  there  constantly, 
so  the  three  faithful  animals  went  away  together,  and  when 
they  arrived  in  the  neighbourhood  the  Bear  said  the  Mouse 
must  peep  through  the  keyhole  and  see  what  was  going 
on,  for  since  he  was  small  no  one  would  notice  him.  The 
Mouse  consented  and  went,  but  soon  returned,  sayiDg,  “It 
is  useless,  I have  peeped  in,  but  the  stone  hangs  on  a red 
riband  below  the  mirror,  and  above  and  below  sit  two  great 
cats  with  fiery  eyes  to  watch  it.”  Then  the  others  said, 
“Never  mind,  go  back  again  and  wait  till  the  master  goes 
to  bed  and  falls  asleep,  then  do  you  slip  in  through  the 
hole  and  creep  on  to  the  bed,  and  twitch  his  nose  and  bite 
off  one  of  his  whiskers.”  So  the  Mouse  crept  in  and  did 
as  she  was  told,  and  the  master,  waking  up,  rubbed  his 
nose  in  a passion,  and  exclaimed,  “ The  cats  are  worth 
nothing ! they  let  the  mice  in  who  bite  the  very  hair  off 
my  head  !”  And,  so  saying,  he  hunted  them  all  away,  and 
the  Mouse  won  her  game. 

The  next  night,  as  soon  as  the  master  was  sound  asleep, 
the  Mouse  crept  in  again,  and  nibbled  and  gnawed  at  the 
riband  until  it  broke  in  halves,  and  down  fell  the  stone, 
which  she  then  pushed  out  under  the  door.  But  this  latter 


The  Faithful  Beasts. 


75 


matter  was  very  difficult  for  the  poor  Mouse  to  manage, 
and  she  called  to  the  Monkey,  who  drew  it  quite  out  with 
his  long  paws.  It  was  an  easy  matter  for  him,  and  he 
carried  the  stone  down  to  the  water  side  accompanied  by 
the  others.  When  the}7  got  there  the  Monfrey  asked  how 
they  were  to  get  at  the  chest.  “ Oh,”  replied  the  Bear, 
“ that  is  soon  done ; I will  swim  into  the  water,  and  you, 
Monkey,  shall  sit  upon  my  back,  holding  fast  with  your 
hands  while  you  carry  the  stone  in  your  mouth;  you, 
Mouse,  can  sit  in  my  right  ear.”  They  all  did  as  the  Bear 
suggested,  and  he  swam  off  down  the  river,  but  very  soon 
he  felt  uneasy  at  the  silence,  and  so  began  to  chatter,  say- 
ing, “ Do  you  hear,  Mr.  Monkey,  we  are  brave  fellows, 
don’t  you  think?”  But  the  Monkey  did  not  answer  a 
word.  “ Is  that  manners  ?”  said  the  Bear  again,  “ Will 
you  not  give  your  comrade  an  answer  ? crabbed  fellow  is 
he  who  makes  no  reply.”  Then  the  Monkey  could  no 
longer  restrain  himself,  and,  letting  the  stone  fall  into  the 
water,  he  cried  out,  “ You  stupid  fellow,  how  could  I 
answer  you  with  the  stone  in  my  mouth  ? How  it  is  lost, 
and  all  through  your  fault.” 

“ Do  not  be  angry,”  said  the  Bear ; “ we  will  soon  re- 
cover it.”  Thereupon  they  consulted  together,  and  sum- 
moned all  the  frogs  and  other  creatures  living  in  the  water, 
and  said  to  them,  “ There  is  a powerful  enemy  coming 
against  you  ; but  make  haste  and  procure  us  the  stones  as 
quickly  as  possible,  and  we  will  then  build  a wall  to  pro- 
tect you.” 

These  words  frightened  the  water  animals,  and  they 
brought  up  stones  on  all  sides,  and  at  last  came  a fat  old 
frog  waddling  along  who  had  the  wonderful  stone  in  her 
mouth,  hanging  by  a piece  of  red  riband.  Then  the  Bear 
was  glad,  and,  relieving  the  frog  of  his  burden  he  politely 
said  it  was  all  right,  they  might  go  home  again  now,  and 
so  took  a short  leave.  After  this  the  three  beasts  swam  to 


76 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  Man  in  the  chest,  and,  breaking  the  lid  in  by  the  aid  of 
stones,  they  found  they  had  come  just  in  the  nick  of  time, 
for  he  had  just  finished  his  jug  of  water  and  loaf  of  bread, 
and  was  almog;  starved.  However,  as  soon  as  the  man  had 
taken  the  wonderful  stone  in  his  hand  he  wished  himself 
quite  well  and  back  in  the  castle  with  the  garden  and 
stables.  Immediately  it  was  so,  and  there  he  and  his  three 
faithful  beasts  dwelt  together,  happy  and  contented,  to  the 
end  of  their  days. 


cm. 


Three  Little  Tales  about  Toads. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a little  girl  whose  mother 
gave  her  every  day  at  noon  a little  basin  of  milk  and 
bread,  which  she  used  to  eat,  sitting  outside  the  house  in 
the  court.  Once  when  she  began  to  eat  there  came  a little 
Toad  out  of  a crack  in  the  wall,  which  put  its  head  into 
the  milk,  and  drank  some.  The  Child  was  pleased  with 
this ; and  the  next  day,  and  every  day  when  she  sat  there 
with  her  basin,  and  the  Toad  did  not  make  its  appearance, 
she  used  to  call  it  thus : — 

“ Toadie,  Toadie,  quickly  come ; 

Hither  come,  my  pet ; 

And  you  shall  have  a little  crumb 
And  milk  before  you  set  1” 

At  these  words  the  Toad  would  run  and  squat  itself 
down  to  its  feast.  It  showed  itself  grateful  too,  for  it 
always  brought  the  child  something  out  of  its  secret  treas- 
ures,— shining  stones,  pearls,  or  golden  toys.  But  the 
Toad  would  only  drink  milk,  and  not  touch  the  bread ; so 
once  the  Child  took  its  little  spoon,  and  tapped  the  Toad 
gently  on  the  head,  saying,  “ Eat  some  bread  too,  pet !” 
The  mother,  standing  in  the  kitchen,  heard  the  Child 
speaking  to  something,  and  when  she  saw  it  tap  the  Toad 
with  its  spoon  she  ran  out  with  a faggot  of  wood  and  killed 
the  good  creature. 

From  that  time  a change  came  over  the  Child.  So  long 
as  the  Toad  had  played  with  it,  it  had  grown  strong  and 
hearty,  but  now  its  re.d  cheeks  vanished,  and  it  became 
quite  thin.  - Soon  the  death-bird  began  to  scream  in  the 


78 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


forest,  and  the  red-breasts  collected  leaves  and  twigs  for  a 
crown  of  death ; and  by-and-by  the  poor  little  Child  lay 
on  a bier. 


II. 

An  orphan  Child  was  sitting  and  spinning  on  the  city 
wall,  and  saw  a Toad  come  out  of  an  opening  beneath  the 
wall.  The  Child  quickly  spread  out  its  blue  cotton  hand- 
kerchief near  itself,  so  that  the  Toad  might  be  obliged  to 
walk  over  it ; and,  as  the  Child  hoped,  rest  upon  it.  As 
soon  as  the  Toad  saw  what  was  done  it  turned  round,  and 
came  again,  bringing  a little  golden  crown,  which  it  laid 
down  on  the  handkerchief,  and  then  returned  to  its  hole. 
The  little  Girl  took  up  the  crown,  which  was  spun  of 
delicate  threads  of  gold,  and  glittered  in  the  sun,  and  put 
it  out  of  sight;  so  the  Toad,  when  it  came  again,  could 
not  see  it. 

Thereupon  the  poor  Toad  crept  up  to  the  wall,  and 
beat  its  little  head  against  it  till  it  lost  all  strength,  and 
fell  down  dead.  Now,  if  the  Child  had  left  the  crown 
where  it  was  laid,  the  Toad  would  have  brought  more 
treasures  out  of  its  hole. 


ill. 

“Huhu,  huhu!”  cried  a Toad. 

“ Come  hither !”  said  a Child  to  it.  When  the  Toad 
came  the  Child  asked, 

“ Have  you  seen  my  sister,  Red-Stocking,  this  morn- 
ing?” 

“No,  no;  not  I!”  croaked  the  Toad,  “how  should  I? 
huhu,  huhu  !” 

And  the  Toad  hopped  away. 


CIV. 


The  Poor  Millers  Son  and  the  Cat. 


/'~\NCE  upon  a time  there  lived  in  a mill  an  old  Miller 
who  had  neither  wife  nor  children,  but  three  appren- 
tices instead ; and,  after  they  had  been  with  him  several 
years,  he  said  to  them  one  day,  “ I am  old,  and  shall  retire 
from  business  soon ; do  jrou  all  go  out,  and  whichever  of 
you  brings  me  home  the  best  horse,  to  him  will  I give  the 
mill,  and,  moreover,  he  shall  attend  me  in  my  last  illness.” 
The  third  of  the  apprentices  was  a small  lad  despised 
by  the  others,  and  so  much  so,  that  they  did  not  intend 
that  he  should  ever  have  the  mill,  even  after  them.  But 
all  three  went  out  together,  and  as  soon  as  they  got  away 
from  the  village  the  two  eldest  brothers  said  to  the  stupid 
Hans,  “You  may  as  well  remain  here;  in  all  your  lifetime 
you  will  never  find  a horse.”  Nevertheless  Hans  went 
with  them,  and  when  night  came  on  they  arrived  at  a 
hollow  where  they  laid  down  to  sleep.  The  two  clever 
brothers  waited  till  Hans  was  fast  asleep,  and  then  they 
got  up  and  walked  off,  leaving  Hans  snoring.  Now  they 
thought  they  had  done  a very  clever  thing,  but  we  shall 
see  how  they  fared.  By-and-by  the  sun  arose  and  awoke 
Hans,  who,  when  he  found  himself  lying  in  a deep  hollow, 
peeped  all  around  him  and  exclaimed,  “ Oh,  Heavens ! 
where  have  I got  to  ?”  He  soon  got  up  and  scrambled  out 
of  the  hollow  into  the  forest,  thinking  to  himself,  “ Here  I 
am  all  alone,  what  shall  I do  to  get  at  a horse?”  While 
he  ruminated,  a little  tortoiseshell  Cat  came  up,  and  asked 
in  a most  friendly  manner,  “ Where  are  you  going,  Hans?” 
“ Ah  ! you  can  help  me,”  said  Hans.  “Yes,  I know  very 
well  what  you  wish,”  replied  the  Cat ; “ you  want  a fine 


80 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


horse : oome  with  me,  and  for  seven  years  be  my  faithful 
servant,  and  then  I will  give  you  a handsomer  steed  than 
you  ever  saw.” 

“ Well,”  thought  Hans  to  himself,  “ this  is  a wonder- 
ful Cat ! but  still  I may  as  well  see  if  this  will  be  true.” 

So  the  Cat  took  him  into  its  enchanted  castle,  where 
there  were  many  other  Cats  who  waited  upon  it,  jumping 
quickly  up  and  down  the  steps,  and  bustling  about  in  first- 
rate  style.  In  the  evening  when  they  sat  down  to  table 
three  cats  had  to  play  music ; one  ployed  the  violoncello, 
a second  the  violin,  and  a third  blew  a trumpet  so  loudly 
that  its  cheeks  seemed  as  if  they  would  burst.  When  they 
had  finished  dinner  the  table  was  drawn  away,  and  the 
Cat  said,  “Now, .Hans,  come  and  dance  with  me.”  No, 
no !”  replied  he,  “ I cannot  dance  with  a Cat ! I never 
learnt  how !” 

“ Then  take  him  to  bed,”  cried  the  Cat  to  its  attendants; 
and  they  lighted  him  at  once  to  his  sleeping  apartment, 
where  one  drew  off  his  shoes,  another  his  stockings,  while 
a third  blew  out  the  light.  The  following  morning  the 
servant-cats  made  their  appearance  again,  and  helped  him 
out  of  bed  : one  drew  on  his  stockings,  another  buckled 
on  his  garters,  a third  fetched  his  shoes,  a fourth  washed 
and  a fifth  wiped  his  face  with  her  tail.  “ That  was  done 
well  and  gently,”  said  Hans  to  the  last.  But  all  day 
long  Hans  had  to  cut  wood  for  the  Cat,  and  . for  that 
purpose  he  received  an  axe  of  silver  and  wedges  and 
saws  of  the  same  metal,  while  the  mallet  was  made  of 
copper. 

Here  Hans  remained  making  himself  useful.  Every 
day  he  had  good  eating  and  drinking,  but  he  saw  nobody 
except  the  tortoiseshell  Cat  and  her  attendants.  One  day 
the  Cat  said  to  him,  “ Go  and  mow  my  meadow  and  dry 
the  grass  well,”  and  she  gave  him  a scythe  made  of  silver 
and  a whetstone  of  gold,  which  she  bade  him  bring  back 


The  Poor  Miller’s  Son  and  the  Cat. 


81 


safe.  Hans  went  off  and  did  what  he  was  told  ; and  when 
it  was  finished  he  took  home  the  scythe,  whetstone,  and 
hay,  and  asked  the  Cat  if  she  would  not  give  him  a reward? 
“ Ho,”  said  the  Cat,  “ you  must  first  do  several  things  for 
me  ; here  are  beams  of  silver,  binding  clamps,  joists,  and 
all  that  is  necessary,  all  of  silver,  and  of  these  you  must 
first  build  me  a small  house.”  Hans  built  it,  and  when  it 
was  done  he  reminded  the  Cat  he  had  still  no  horse, 
although  his  seven  years  had  passed  like  half  the  time. 
The  Cat  asked  him  whether  he  wished  to  see  her  horses  ? 
“Yes,”  said  Hans.  So  they  went  out  of  the  house,  and 
as  they  opened  the  door  there  stood  twelve  horses,  very 
proud  creatures,  pawing  the  ground  impatiently.  Hans 
was  glad  enough  to  see  them,  but  as  soon  as  he  had  looked 
at  them  for  a minute  the  Cat  gave  him  his  dinner,  and  said, 
“ Go  home  ; I shall  not  give  you  your  horse  with  you,  but 
in  three  days  I will  come  to  you  and  bring  it  with  me.” 
So  Hans  walked  off,  and  the  cats  showed  him  the  way  to 
the  mill ; but  as  they  had  not  furnished  him  with  new 
clothes,  he  was  forced  to  go  in  his  old  ragged  ones,  which 
he  had  taken  with  him,  and  which  during  the  seven  years 
hacl  become  much  too  short  for  him.  When  he  arrived  at 
home  he  found  the  two  other  apprentices  had  preceded  him, 
and  each  had  brought  a horse ; but  the  one  was  blind  and 
the  other  lame.  “ Where  is  your  horse,  Hans  ?”  inquired 
they.  “ It  will  follow  me  in  three  days,”  he  replied.  At 
that  they  laughed,  and  cried,  “ Yes,  Hans,  and  when  it  does 
come  it  will  be  something  wonderful,  no  doubt.”  Hans 
then  went  into  the  parlour,  but  the  old  Miller  said  he 
should  not  sit  at  table  because  he  was  so  ragged  and  dirty ; 
they  would  be  ashamed  of  him  if  any  one  came  in.  So 
they  gave  him  something  to  eat  out  of  doors,  and  when 
bed-time  came  the  two  brothers  refused  Hans  a share  of 
the  bed,  and  he  was  obliged  to  creep  into  the  goose-coop 
and  stretch  -himself  upon  some  hard  straw.  The  next 

VOL.  II. — 4* 


82 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


morning  was  the  third  day  mentioned  by  the  Cat,  and  as 
soon  as  Hans  was  up  there  came  a carriage  drawn  by  six 
horses,  which  shone  from  their  sleek  condition,  and  a ser- 
vant besides,  who  led  a seventh  horse  which  was  for  the 
poor  miller’s  boy.  Out  of  the  carriage  stepped  a beautiful 
Princess,  who  went  into  the  mill,  and  she  was  the  tortoise- 
shell Cat  whom  poor  Hans  had  served  for  seven  years. 
She  asked  the  Miller  where  the  mill-boy,  her  little  slave, 
was,  and  he  answered,  “We  could  not  take  him  into  the 
mill,  he  was  so  . ragged  and  dirty  ; he  lies  now  in  the  goose- 
coop.”  The  Princess  bade  him  fetch  Hans,  but  before  he 
could  come  the  poor  fellow  had  to  draAV  together  his  smock- 
frock  in  order  to  cover  himself.  Then  the  servant  drew 
forth  some  elegant  clothes,  and  after  washing  Hans  put 
them  on,  so  that  no  king  could  have  looked  more  hand- 
some. Thereupon  the  Princess  desired  to  see  the  horses 
which  the  other  apprentices  had  brought  home,  and  one 
was  blind  and  the  other  lame.  When  she  had  seen  them 
she  ordered  her  servant  to  bring  the  horse  he  had  in  his 
keeping,  and  as  spon  as  the  Miller  saw  it  he  declared  that 
such  an  animal  had  never  before  been  in  his  farmyard. 
“ It  belongs  to  the  youngest  apprentice,”  said  the  Princess. 
“ And  the  mill  too,”  rejoined  the  Miller ; but  the  Princess 
said  he  might  keep  that  and  the  horse  as  well,  for  himself. 
With  these  words  she  placed  her  faithful  Hans  in  the  car- 
riage with  her,  and  drove  away.  They  went  first  to  the 
little  house  which  Hans  had  built  with  the  silver  tools,  and 
which  had  become  a noble  castle,  wherein  everything  was 
of  gold  and  silver.  There  the  Princess' married  him,  and 
he  was  so  very  rich  that  he  had  enough  for  all  his  life. 


cv. 

Hans  the  Hedgehog. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a Farmer  who  had  quite 
enough  of  money  and  property  to  live  upon,  but  rich 
as  he  was  he  lacked  one  piece  of  fortune ; he  had  no  chil- 
dren. Ofttimes  when  he  went  to  market  with  the  other 
farmers  they  laughed  at  him  and  asked  why  he  had  no 
children  ? At  length  he  flew  into  a passion,  and  when  he 
came  home  he  said,  “ I will  have  a child,  and  it  shall  be 
a hedgehog.”  Soon  after  this  speech  a child  was  born  to 
him  which  was  like  a hedgehog  in  the  upper  part  of  its 
body,  and  formed  as  a boy  below,  and  when  his  wife  saw 
it  she  was  frightened,  and  cried,  “ See  what  you  have 
wished  for!”  So  the  man  said,  “It  cannot  be  helped  now, 
and  it  must  be  christened,  but  we  can  procure  nq  godfather 
for  it.”  “ We  cannot  call  him  anything  else  than  ‘ Hans 
the  Hedgehog.’  ” said  the  wife  ; and  when  the  priest  bap- 
tized him  he  said,  “ On  account  of  his  spikes  he  can 
sleep  in  no  common  cradle.”  So  behind  the  stove  a little 
straw  was  laid,  upon  which  the  child  slept,  and  there  he 
kept  for  eight  years,  till  his  father  grew  tired  of  him  and 
wished  he  might  die.  However,  the  child  did  not,  but  re- 
mained in  a torpid  state,  and  one  day  the  Farmer  resolved 
to  go  to  a fair  which  was  to  be  held  in  the  neighbouring 
town.  He  asked  his  wife  what  he  should  bring  home,  and 
she  told  him,  “ A little  piece  of  meat  and  a couple  of  rolls 
of  bread  for  the  housekeeping.”  Then  he  asked  the  servant, 
and  she  requested  a couple  of  pots  and  a pair  of  stockings. 
Lastly  he  asked  Hans  what  he  liked,  and  the  child  replied, 
“ Bring  me,  father,  a bagpipe.”-  Accordingly,  when  the 
Farmer  returned  home  he  brought  his  wife  the  meat  and 


84 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


bread,  his  servant  the  pots  and  stockings,  and  Hans  the 
Hedgehog  the  bagpipe.  As  soon  as  Hans  received  his  gift 
he  said,  “Father,  go  to  the  smithy,  and  let  the  Cock  be 
bridled,  that  I may  ride  away  upon  it  and  never  return.” 
The  father  was  glad  to  be  freed  from  his  son,  and 
caused  the  Cock  to  be  harnessed,  and  as  soon  as  it  was 
ready  Hans  the  Hedgehog  set  himself  upon  it  and  rode 
away,  taking  with  him  a Boar  and  an  Ass,  which  he  meant 
to  tend  in  the  forest.  But  in  the  forest  the  Cock  flew  to 
the  top  of  a lofty  tree  with  him  on  its  back,  and  there  he 
watched  the  Boar  and  Ass  for  many  years  until  there 
were  many  of  them,  and  all  the  time  his  father  knew  noth- 
ing of  him.  While  Hans  sat  on  the  tree-top  he  played 
upon  his  bagpipe  and  made  beautiful  music ; and  once  a 
King  came  riding  past  who  had  lost  his  way  in  the  forest, 
and  chanced  to  hear  him.  He  wondered  at  the  sound,  and 
sent  his  servants  to  inquire  from  whence  the  music  pro- 
ceeded. They  looked  about,  but  saw  only  a little  animal 
upon  a tree  which  seemed  like  a cock,  and  had  a hedgehog 
upon  its  back  which  made  the  music.  The  King  told  them 
to  ask  why  it  sat  there,  and  if  it  knew  the  way  to  his  king- 
dom. Then  Hans  the  Hedgehog  came  down  from  the 
tree,  and  said  he  would  show  the  way  if  the  King  would 
pi’omise  him  in  writing  what  first  met  him  in  the  royal 
court  on  his  return.  The  King  thought  to  himself,  Hans 
the  Hedgehog  understands  nothing,  and  I can  write  what 
I please,  and  so  taking  pen  and  ink  he  wr&te  something, 
and  when  he  had  done  Hans  showed  him  the  road,  and 
he  arrived  happily  at  home.  But  his  daughter,  seeing  him 
at  a distance,  was  so  full  of  joy  that  she  ran  to  meet  her 
father  and  kissed  him.  Then  he  remembered  Hans  the 
Hedgehog,  and  told  her  what  had  happened  to  him,  and 
how  he  had  promised  to  a wonderful  animal  whatever  met 
him  first,  and  how  this  animal  sat  upon  a cock  and  played 
music.  However  he  had  written  he  should  not  have  the 


Hans  the  Hedgehog. 


85 


first,  for  Hans  the  Hedgehog  could  not  read  what  was 
written.  Thereupon  the  Princess  was  glad,  and  said  it 
was  well  done,  for  she  could  not  have  been  given  up  to 
such  a creature. 

Meanwhile  Hans  the  Hedgehog  still  tended  his  flocks 
and  herds,  and  was  very  merry,  sitting  up  in  his  tree  and 
blowing  his  bagpipe.  Now  it  happened  that  another  King 
came  travelling  by  with  his  attendants  and  courtiers,  who 
had  also  lost  himself  and  knew  not  how  to  get  home,  be- 
cause the  forest  was  so  immense.  All  at  once  he  heard 
the  music  at  a distance,  and  said  to  his  servant,  “ Go  and 
see  at  once  what  that  is.”  So  the  servant  went  under  the 
tree  and  saw  the  cock  perched  upon  it  and  the  hedgehog 
©n  its  back,  and  he  asked  what  he  did  up  there.  “ I am 
watching  my  flocks  and  herds  ; but  what  is  your  desire  ?” 
was  the  reply.  The  servant  said  they  had  lost  their  way, 
and  could  not  find  their  kingdom  if  he  did  not  show  them 
the  road.  Then  Hans  the  Hedgehog  climbed  down  the 
tree  with  his  cock,  and  told  the  old  King  he  would  point  out 
the  path  if  he  would  give  to  him  certainly  whatever  should 
meet  him  first  before  his  royal  palace.  The  King  said 
“ Yes,”  and  subscribed  to  it  with  his  own  hand  that  he 
should  have  it.  When  this  was  done  Hans  rode  before  the 
King  on  his  cock,  and  showed  him  the  road  whereby  he 
quickly  arrived  in  safety  in  his  own  kingdom.  As  soon 
as  he  approached  his  court  there  was  great  rejoicing,  and 
his  only  child,  a daughter,  who  was  very  beautiful,  ran  to 
meet  him,  embraced  and  kissed  him,  in  her  great  joy  at 
seeing  her  dear  father  return  home  again.  She  inquired 
also  where  he  had  stayed  so  long  in  the  world,  and  he  told 
her  of  all  his  wanderings,  and  how  he  had  feared  he  should 
not  get  back  at  all  because  he  had  lost  his  way  in  such  a 
large  forest,  where  a creature  half  like  a hedgehog  and 
half  like  a man  sat  upon  a cock  in  a high  tree  and  made 
beautiful  music.  He  told  her  also  how  this  animal  had 


H 


86 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


come  down  from  the  tree  and  showed  him  the  road  on 
condition  that  he  gave  him  whatever  first  met  him  in  his 
royal  palace  on  his  return  home  ; and  she  was  the  first,  and 
that  made  him  grieve.  His  daughter  after  a while  promised 
to  go  with  the  animal  when  he  came,  out  of  love  to  her 
dear  father. 

Meanwhile  Hans  the  Hedgehog  tended  his  swine,  and 
so  many  pigs  were  born  that  they  filled  the  whole  forest. 
Then  Hans  would  stay  no  longer  in  the  woods,  and  sent 
his  father  word  he  should  cleax  all  the  stables  in  the  vil- 
lage, for  he  was  coming  with  such  great  herds  that  who- 
ever wished  might  kill  from  them.  At  this  news  the 
father  was  grieved,  for  he  thought  his  son  had  been  dead 
long  since.  Soon  after  Hans  came  riding  upon  his  cock, 
and  driving  before  him  his  herds  into  the  village  to  be 
killed,  when  there  was  such  a slaughtering  and  shrieking 
you  might  have  heard  it  eight  miles  off!  Hans  the  Hedge- 
hog did  not  stay  long ; he  paid  another  visit  to  the  smithy 
to  have  his  cock  rebridled,  then  off  he  started  again,  while 
his  father  rejoiced  that  he  should  never  see  him  again. 

Hans  the  Hedgehog  rode  to  the  first  kingdom  we  be- 
fore mentioned,  and  there  the  King  had  ordered  that  if 
any  one  came  riding  upon  a cock,  and  carrying  with  him  a 
bagpipe,  all  should  shoot  at  him,  cut  at  him,  and  kill  him, 
that  he  might  not  enter  the  castle.  When,  therefore,  Hans 
the  Hedgehog  came  riding  along  they  pressed  round  him 
with  bayonets;  but  he  flew  high  up  into  the  air  over 
the  gate  to  the  window  of  the  palace,  and  there  alighting, 
called  the  King  to  give  him  what  he  had  promised, 
or  he  would  kill  both  him  and  his  daughter.  Then 
the  King  spoke  kindly  to  his  child  and  begged  her  to  go 
away,  that  her  life  and  his  might  be  saved.  At  last  she 
consented,  turning  very  pale  however,  and  her  father  gave 
her  a carriage  drawn  by  six  white  horses,  and  servants, 
money,  and  plate  besides.  She  set  herself  in  it,  and  Hans 


IUns  the  Hedgehog. 


87 


the  Hedgehog  by  her  side,  with  his  cock  and  bagpipe. 
Then  they  took  leave  and  drove  away,  while  the  King 
thought  he  should  never  see  them  again  ; and  it  happened 
just  as  he  imagined,  for  as  soon  as  they  had  gone  a little  way 
out  of  the  city  Hans  the  Hedgehog  pulled  off  the  Princess’s 
shawl  and  pricked  her  with  his  quills,  saying,  “ That  is 
your  reward  for  falsehood  ! go  away  ! I will  have  nothing 
to  do  with  you  !”  With  these  words  he  hunted  her  home, 
and  to  her  end  she  was  despised. 

Hans  the  Hedgehog  rode  away  next  upon  his  cock 
with  his  bagpipes  in  his  hand  to  the  second  kingdom  to 
which  he  had  directed  its  King.  This  King  had  ordered 
that,  if  any  one  like  Hans  the  Hedgehog  came  riding  to 
the  gate,  the  guards  should  present  arms,  admit  him  freely, 
shout  Viva ! and  conduct  him  to  the  palace.  As  soon  as 
the  Princess  saw  the  animal  coming  she  was  at  first  fright- 
ened, because  it  appeared  so  curious,  but  as  soon  as  she 
recollected  her  promise  she  became  reconciled.  She  wel- 
comed Hans  the  Hedgehog,  and  was  married  to  him,  and 
afterwards  they  dined  at  the  royal  table,  sitting  side  by 
side,  and  eating  and  drinking  together.  When  evening 
came  on  and  bedtime,  the  Princess  said  she  was  afraid  of 
her  husband’s  spikes,  but  he  said  she  need  not  fear,  he 
would  do  her  no  harm.  Then  he  told  the  old  King  to  ap- 
point four  men  who  should  watch  before  the  chamber- 
door  and  keep  up  a great  fire ; and,  when  he  entered  and 
prepared  to  go  to  bed,  he  would  creep  out  of  his  hedgehog- 
skin  and  lay  it  down  before  the  bed.  When  he  had  so 
done,  the  men  must  run  in,  snatch  up  the  skin,  and  throw 
it  in  the  fire,  and  keep  it  there  till  it  was  quite  consumed. 

Afterwards,  when  the  clock  struck  twelve,  Hans  the 
Hedgehog  entered  his  room,  stripped  off  his  skin,  and  laid 
it  down  by  the  bed.  Immediately  the  four  men  ran 
in,  snatched  it  up,  and  threw  it  into  the  fire,  and  as  soon 
as  it  was  consumed  Hans  was  freed,  and  lay  in  the  bed  in 


88 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


a proper  human  form,  but  coal-black  as  if  he  was  burnt. 
Thereupon  the  King  sent  to  his  physician,  who  washed 
the  young  prince  with  a precious  balsam  which  made  his 
skin  white,  so  that  he  became  quite  a handsome  youth. 
As  soon  as  the  princess  saw  this  she  jumped  for  joy ; and 
the  following  morning  they  arose  gladly,  and  were  married 
again  in  due  form  and  with  great  feasting ; and  afterwards 
Hans  the  Hedgehog  received  the  kingdom  from  the  hands 
of  the  old  king. 

When  several  years  had  passed  away  the  young  king 
went  with  his  bride  to  his  father’s  house,  and  told  him 
he  was  his  son.  The  Farmer,  however,  declared  he  had 
no  children.  He  had  once,  he  said,  had  one  who  was 
covered  with  spikes  like  a hedgehog,  but  he  had  wandered 
away  into  the  world.  Then  the  king  made  himself  known 
to  his  father,  and  showed  that  he  was  really  his  son,  and 
the  Farmer  rejoiced  greatly,  and  returned  with  him  to  his 
kingdom. 


CYI. 


The  Child’s  Grave. 


HERE  was  once  a Mother  who  had  a little  Boy,  seven 


years  old,  so  pretty  and  good  that  no  one  saw  him  with- 
out loving  him;  and  she,  especially,  loved  him  with  her 
whole  heart.  One  day  it  happened  that  he  suddenly  fell 
sick,  and  by-and-by  the  good  God  took  him  to  himself; 
and  the  poor  Mother  was  so  grieved  that  she  would  not  be 
comforted,  but  cried  day  and  night.  Soon  after  his  burial 
the  Child  appeared  one  night  in  the  place  where  during 
his  lifetime  he  had  been  wont  to  sit  and  play;  and  while 
his  Mother  wept  he  wept  too,  and  at  daybreak  disappeared. 
When,  however,  the  Mother  still  lamented  his  death,  and 
cried  without  ceasing,  he  appeared  again  one  night  in  the 
white  shroud  in  which  he  was  laid  in  his  coffin,  and  with 
the  garland  of  flowers  round  his  head.  He  sat  down  at 
the  foot  of  his  Mother  on  the  bed,  and  said  to  her,  “ Ah ! 
my  Mother,  cease  to  weep,  else  can  I not  sleep  in  my  coffin, 
for  my  shroud  is  moistened  continually  with  your  tears 
which  fall  upon  it!” 

The  Mother  thereupon  was  frightened,  and  dried  her 
tears;  and  the  nest  night  the  Child  appeared  once  more, 
holding  a light  in  his  hand.  “See,  my  dear  Mother!”  he 
said,  “see,  my  shroud  is  dry  now,  and  I can  rest  in  my 
grave !” 

After  this  the  Mother  sorrowed  no  more,  but  bore  her 
loss  with  patience  and  trust  in  God  ; while  her  Child  peace- 
fully slept  in  his  narrow  grave. 


The  Jew  among  Thorns. 


HERE  was  once  upon  a time  a rich  man,  who  had  a 


servant  so  honest  and  industrious  that  he  was  every 
morning  the  first  up,  and  every  evening  the  last  to  come 
in ; and,  besides,  whenever  there  was  a difficult  job  to  be 
done,  which  nobody  else  would  undertake,  this  servant 
always  volunteered  his  assistance.  Moreover,  he  never 
complained,  but  was  contented  with  everything,  and  happy 
under  all  circumstances.  When  his  year  of  service  was  up, 
his  master  gave  him  no  reward,  for  he  thought  to  himself, 
that  will  be  the  cleverest  way,  and,  by  saving  his  wages,  I 
shall  keep  my  man  quietly  in  my  service.  The  servant 
said  nothing,  but  did  his  work  during  the  second  year  as 
well  as  the  first ; but  still  he  received  nothing  for  it,  so  he 
made  himself  happy  about  the  matter,  and  remained  a 
year  longer. 

When  this  third  year  was  also  past,  the  master  con- 
sidered, and  put  his  hand  in  his  pocket,  but  drew  nothing 
out ; so  the  servant  said,  “ I have  served  you  honestly  for 
three  years,  master,  be  so  good  as  to  give  me  what  I deserve ; 
for  I wish  to  leave,  and  look  about  me  a bit  in  the  world.” 

“Yes,  my  good  fellow,”  replied  the  covetous  old  man; 
“ you  have  served  me  industriously,  and,  therefore,  you 
shall  be  cheerfully  rewarded.”  With  these  words  he 
dipped  his  hand  into  his  pocket  and  drew  out  three  farthings, 
which  he  gave  to  the  servant,  saying,  “ There,  you  have  a 
farthing  for  each  year,  which  is  a much  more  bountiful  and 
liberal  reward  than  you  would  have  received  from  most 
masters !” 

The  honest  servant,  who  understood  very  little  about 


The  Jew  among  Thorns. 


91 


money,  jinked  "his  capital,  and  thought,  “Ah!  now  I have 
a pocketful  of  money,  so  why  need  I plague  myself  any 
longer  with  hard  work  ?”  So  off  he  walked,  skipping  and 
jumping  about  from  one  side  of  the  road  to  the  other,  full 
of  joy.  Presently  he  came  to  some  bushes,  out  of  which  a 
little  man  stept,  and  called  out  “Whither  away,  merry 
brother?  I see  you  do  not  carry  much  burden  in  the  way 
of  cares.”  “ Why  should  I be  sad,”  replied  the  servant, 
“ I have  enough,  the  wages  of  three  years  are  rattling  in 
my  pocket.” 

“How  much  is  your  treasure?”  inquired  the  dwarf. 

“How  much?  three  farthings  honestly  counted  out,” 
said  the  servant. 

“Well,”  said  the  dwarf,  “I  am  a poor  needy  man,  give 
me  your  three  farthings  ; I can  work  no  longer,  but  you  are 
young,  and  can  earn  your  bread  easily.” 

Now  because  the  servant  had  a compassionate  heart,  he 
pitied  the  old  man,  and  handed  him  the  three  farthings, 
saying,  “ In  the  name  of  God  take  them,  and  I shall  not 
want.” 

Thereupon  the  little  man  said,  “Because  I see  you  have 
a good  heart  I promise  you  three  wishes,  one  for  each 
farthing,  and  all  shall  be  fulfilled.” 

“Aha!”  exclaimed  the  servant,  “you  are  one  who  can 
blow  black  and  blue  ! Well,  then,  if  it  is  to  be  so,  I wish, 
first,  for  a gun,  which  shall  bring  down  all  I aim  at ; sec- 
ondly, a fiddle,  which  shall  make  all  who  hear  it  dance ; 
thirdly,  that  whatever  request  I may  make  to  any  one  it 
shall  not  be  in  their  power  to  refuse  me.” 

“ All  this  you  shall  have,”  said  the  dwarf ; and  diving 
into  his  pocket  he  produced  a fiddle  and  gun,  as  soon  as 
you  could  think,  all  in  readiness,  as  if  they  had  been 
ordered  long  ago.  These  he  gave  to  the  servant,  and  then 
said  to  him,  “ Whatever  you  may  ask,  shall  no  man  in  the 
world  be  able  to  refuse.”  With  that  he  disappeared. 


92 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“ What  more  can  you  desire  now,  my  heart  ?”  said  the 
servant  to  himself,  and  walked  merrily  onwards.  Soon  he 
met  a Jew  with  a very  long  beard,  who  was  standing  listen- 
ing to  the  song  of  a bird  which  hung  high  up  upon  a tree. 
“ What  a wonder,”  he  was  exclaiming,  “ that  such  a small 
creature  should  have  such  an  immense  voice ! if  it  were 
only  mine  ! Oh  that  I could  strew  some  salt  upon  its 
tail!” 

“If  that  is  all,”  broke  in  the  servant,  “the  bird  stall 
soon  be  down ;”  and  aiming  with  his  gun  he  pulled  the 
trigger,  and  down  it  fell  in  the  middle  of  a thorn-bush. 
“Go,  you  rogue,  and  fetch  the  bird  out,”  said  he  to  the 
Jew. 

“Leave  out  the  rogue,  my  master,”  returned  the  other; 
“ before  the  dog  comes  I will  fetch  out  the  bird,  because 
you  killed  it  so  well.”  So  saying  the  Jew  went  down  on 
his  hands  and  knees  and  crawled  into  the  bush ; and  while 
he  stuck  fast  among  the  thorns,  the  good  servant  felt  so 
roguishly  inclined,  that  he  took  up  his  fiddle  and  began  to 
play.  At  the  same  . moment  the  Jew  was  upon  his  legs, 
and  began  to  jump  about,  while  the  more  the  servant 
played  the  better  went  the  dance.  But  the  thorns  tore  his 
shabby  coat,  combed  out  his  beard,  and  pricked  and  stuck 
all  over  his  body.  “ My  master,”  cried  the  Jew,  “ what  is 
your  fiddling  to  me?  leave  the  fiddle  alone;  I do  not 
want  to  dance.” 

But  the  servant  did  not  pay  any  attention,  and  said  to 
the  Jew,  while  he  played  anew,  so  that  the  poor  man 
jumped  higher  than  ever,  and  the  rags  of  his  clothes  hung 
about  the  bushes,  “You  have  fleeced  people  enough  in 
your  time,  and  now  the  thorny  hedge  shall  give  you  a 
turn.”  “Oh  woe’s  me!”  cried  the  Jew;  “I  will  give  the 
master  what  he  desires,  if  only  he  leaves  off  fiddling — a 
purse  of  gold.”  “ If  you  are  so  liberal,”  said  the  servant, 
“I  will  stop  my  music;  but  this  I must  say. to  your  credit, 


The  Jew  among  Thorns. 


93 


that  you  dance  as  if  you  had  been  bred  to  it;”  and  there- 
upon taking  the  purse  he  went  his  way. 

The  Jew  stood  still  and  watched  him  out  of  sight,  and 
then  he  began  to  abuse  him  with  all  his  might.  “You 
miserable  musician,  you  beer-tippler!  wait,  if  I do  but 
catch  you  alone,  I will  hunt  you  till  the  soles  of  your 
shoes  fall  off!  you  ragamuffin,  you  farthingsworth !”  and 
so  he  went  on,  calling  him  all  the  names  he  could  lay  his 
tongue  to.  As  soon  as  he  had  regained  his  breath  and 
.arranged  his  dress  a bit,  he  ran  into  the  town  to  the  justice. 
“ My  lord  judge,”  he  said,  “ I have  a sorry  tale  to  tell : see 
how  a rascally  man  has  used  me  on  the  public  highway, 
robbed  and  beaten  me ! a stone  on  the  ground  might  pity 
me ; my  clothes  all  torn,  my  body  scratched  and  wounded 
all  over,  poverty  come  upon  me  with  the  loss  of  my  purse, 
besides  several  ducats,  one  piece  more  valuable  than  all 
the  others ; for  Heaven’s  sake  let  the  man  be  put  in 
prison !” 

“Was  it  a soldier,”  inquired  the  judge,  “who  has  thus 
cut  you  with  his  sabre?”  “ God  forbid  !”  cried  the  Jew; 
“ it  was  no  sword  the  rogue  had,  but  he  carried  a gun  upon 
his  shoulder,  and  a fiddle  slung  round  his  neck ; the  evil 
wretch  is  easily  known.” 

So  the  judge  sent  his  people  out  after  the  man,  and 
they  soon  found  the  servant,  whom  they  drove  slowly 
before  them,  when  they  found  the  purse  upon  him.  As 
soon  as  he  was  set  before  the  judge  he  said,  “ I have  not 
touched  the  Jew,  nor  taken  his  money ; for  be  gave  it  to 
me  of  his  own  freewill,  because  he  wished  me  to  cease  my 
fiddling  which  he  could  not  endure.” 

“Heaven  defend  us,”  cried  the  Jew,  “he  tells  lies  as 
fast  as  he  can  catch  the  flies  upon  the  wall.” 

The  judge  also  would  not  believe  his  tale,  and  said, 
“This  is  a bad  defence,  for  no  Jew  would  do  as  you  say.” 
Thereupon,  because  the  robbery  had  been  committed  on 


94 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  public  road,  he  sentenced  the  good  servant  to  be 
hanged.  As  he  was  led  thither  the  Jew  began  again  to 
abuse  him,  crying  out,  “You  bearskin!  you  dog  of  a 
fiddler ! now  you  shall  receive  your  well-earned  reward !” 
But  the  servant  walked  quietly  with  the  hangman  to  the 
gallows,  and  upon  the  last  step  of  the  ladder  he  turned 
round  and  said  to  the  judge,  “ Grant  me  one  request  before 
I die.” 

“Yes,  if  you  do  not  ask  your  life,”  said  the  judge. 

“Not  life  do  I request,  but  that  you  will  allow  me  to 
play  one  tune  upon  my  fiddle,  for  a last  favour,”  replied 
the  servant. 

The  Jew  raised  a great  cry  of  “ Murder  ! murder  ! for 
God’s  sake  do  not  allow  it  1”  “ Why  should  I not  grant 

him  this  short  enjoyment?”  asked  the  judge,  “it  is  almos't 
all  over  with  him,  and  he  shall  have  this  last  favour.” 
(However,  he  could  not  have  refused  the  request  which 
the  servant  had  made.) 

Then  the  Jew  exclaimed,  “ Oh ! woe’s  me ! hold  me 
fast,  tie  me  fast!”  while  the  servant,  taking  his  fiddle  from 
his  neck,  began  to  screw  up,  and  no  sooner  had  he  given 
the  first  scrape,  than  the  judge,  his  clerk,  and  the  hangman 
began  to  make  steps,  and  the  rope  fell  out  of  the  hand 
of  him  who  was  going  to  bind  the  Jew.  At  the  second 
scrape,  all  raised  their  legs,  and  the  hangman  let  loose  the 
good  servant  and  prepared  for  the  dance.  At  the  third 
scrape,  all  began  to  dance  and  caper  about;  the  judge  and 
the  Jew  being  first  performers.  And  as  he  continued  to 
play,  all  joined  in  the  dance,  and  even  the  people  who  had 
gathered  in  the  market  out  of  curiosity,  old  and  young, 
fat  and  thin,  one  with  another.  The  dogs,  likewise,  as 
they  came  by,  got  up  on  their  hind  legs  and  capered 
about;  and  the  longer  he  played  the  higher  sprang  the 
dancers,  till  they  toppled  down  over  each  other  on  their 
heads,  and  began  to  shriek  terribly.  At  length  the  judge 


The  Jew  among  Thorns. 


95 


cried,  quite  out  of  breath,  “ I will  give  you  your  life  if 
you  will  stop  fiddling.”  The  good  servant  thereupon  had 
compassion,  and  dismounting  the  ladder  he  hung  his  fiddle 
round  his  neck  again.  Theu  he  stepped  up  to  the  Jew, 
who  lay  upon  the  ground  panting  for  breath,  and  said, 
“ You  rascal,  tell  me,  now,  whence  you  got  the  money,  or 
I will  take  my  fiddle  and  begin  again.”  “ I stole  it,  I 
stole  it !”  cried  the  Jew ; “ but  you  have  honestly  earned  it.” 
Upon  this  the  judge  caused  the  Je-w  to  be  hung  on  the 
gallows  as  a thief,  while  the  good  servant  went  on  his  way, 
rejoicing  in  his  happy  escape. 


\ 


xcvr. 


The  Flail  which  came  from  the 

Clouds. 


A COUNTRYMAN  once  drove  his  plough  with  a pair 
of  oxen,  and  when  he  came  about  the  middle  of  his 
fields  the  horns  of  his  two  beasts  began  to  grow,  and  grow, 
till  they  were  so  high  that  when  he  went  home  he  could 
not  get  them  into  the  stable-door.  By  good  luck  just  then 
a Butcher  passed  by,  to  whom  he  gave  up  his  beasts,  and 
struck  a bargain,  that  he  should  take  to  the  Butcher  a 
measure  full  of  turnip  seed,  for  every  grain  of  which  the 
Butcher  should  give  him  a Brabant  dollar.  That  is  what 
you  may  call  a good  bargain ! The  Countryman  went 
home,  and  came  again,  carrying  on  his  back  a measure  of 
seed,  out  of  which  he  dropped  one  grain  on  the  way.  The 
Butcher,  however,  reckoned  out  for  every  seed  a Brabant 
dollar;  and  had  not  the  Countryman  lost  one  he  would 
have  received  a dollar  more.  Meanwhile  the  seed  which 
he  dropped  on  the  road  had  grown  up  a fine  tree,  reaching 
into  the  clouds.  So  the  Countryman  thought  to  himself 
he  might  as  well  see  what  the  people  in  the  clouds  were 
about.  Up  he  climbed,  and  at  the  top  found  a field  with 
some  people  thrashing  oats  ; but  while  he  was  looking  at 
them  he  felt  the  tree  shake  beneath  him,  and,  peeping 
downwards,  he  perceived  that  some  one  was  on  the  point 
of  chopping  down  the  tree  at  the  roots.  “ If  I am  thrown 
down,”  said  the  Countryman,  to  himself,  “ I shall  have  a 
bad  fall and,  quite  bewildered,  he  could  think  of  nothing 
else  to  save  himself  than  to  make  a rope  with  the  oat  straw, 
which  laid  about  in  heaps.  He  then  seized  hold  of  a 
hatchet  and  flail  which  were  near  him,  and  let  himself 


The  Flail  which  came  from  the  Clouds.  97 

down  by  his  straw  rope.  He  fell  into  a deep,  deep  hole  in 
the  earth,  and  found  it  very  lucky  that  he  had  brought  the 
hatchet  with  him  ; for  with  it  he  cut  steps,  and  so  mounted 
again  into  the  broad  daylight,  bringing  with  him  the  flail 
for  a sign  of  the  truth  of  his  tale,  which  nobody,  on  that 
account,  was  able  to  doubt ! 

There  is  a wonderful  adventure ! ! ! 


VOL, 


ii. — 5- 


i 


CIX. 


The  Goose  Girl. 


/'"ANCE  upon  a time  there  lived  an  old  Queen,  whose 
husband  had  been  dead  some  years,  and  had  left  her 
with  a beautiful  daughter.  When  this  daughter  grew  up 
she  was  betrothed  to  a King’s  son,  who  lived  far  away ; 
and,  when  the  time  arrived  that  she  should  be  married,  it 
became  necessary  that  she  should  travel  into  a strange 
country,  and  so  the  old  lady  packed  up  for  her  use  much 
costly  furniture,  utensils  of  gold  and  silver,  cups  and  jars ; 
in  short,  all  that  belonged  to  a royal  bridal-treasure,  for 
she  loved  her  child  dearly.  She  sent  also  a maid  to  wait 
upon  her  and  to  give  her  away  to  the  bridegroom,  and 
two  horses  for  the  journey ; and  the  horse  of  the  Princess, 
called  Falada,  could  speak.  As  soon  as  the  hour  of  de- 
parture arrived,  the  mother  took  her  daughter  into  a 
chamber,  and  there,  with  a knife,  she  cut  her  finger  with 
it  so  that  it  bled ; then  she  held  a napkin  beneath,  and  let 
three  drops  of  blood  fall  into  it,  which  she  gave  to  her 
daughter,  saying,  “ Dear  child,  preserve  this  well,  and  it 
will  help  you  out  of  trouble.” 

Afterwards  the  mother  and  daughter  took  a sorrowful 
leave  of  each  other,  and  the  Princess  placed  the  napkin  in 
her  bosom,  mounted  her  horse  and  rode  away  to  her  in- 
tended bridegroom.  After  she  had  ridden  on  for  about 
an  hour  she  became  very  thirsty,  and  said  to  her  servant, 
“ Dismount  and  procure  me  some  water  from  yonder  stream 
in  the  cup  which  you  carry  with  you,  for  I am  very  thirsty.” 
“If  you  are  thirsty,”  replied  the  servant,  “dismount 
yourself,  and  stoop  down  to  drink  the  water,  for  I will  not 
be  your  maid  1” 


The  Goose  Girl. 


99 


The  Princess,  on  account  of  her  great  thirst,  did  as  she 
was  bid,  and  bending  over  the  brook  she  drank  of  its 
water,  without  daring  to  use  her  golden  cup.  While  she 
did  so  the  three  drops  of  blood  said,  “ Ah ! if  thy  mother 
knew  this  her  heart  would  break.”  And  the  Princess  felt 
humbled,  Put  said  nothing,  and  soon  remounted  her  horse. 
Then  she  rode  several  miles  further,  but  the  day  was  so  hot 
and  the  sun  so  scorching  that  soon  she  felt  thirsty  again, 
and  as  soon  as  she  reached  a stream  she  called  her  hand- 
maiden again,  and  bade  her  take  the  golden  cup  and  fill  it 
' with  water,  for  she  had  forgotten  all  the  saucy  words  which 
before  had  passed.  The  maiden,  however,  replied  more 
haughtily  than  before,  “ If  you  wish  to  drink,  help  jmur- 
self ! I will  not  be  your  maid !” 

The  Princess  thereupon  got  off  her  horse,  and  helped 
herself  at  the  stream,  while  she  wept  and  cried,  “ Ah  ! 
woe ’s  me  !”  and  the  three  drops  of  blood  said  again,  “ If 
your  mother  knew  this  her  heart  would  break.”  As  she 
leaned  over  the  water  the  napkin  wherein  were  the  three 
drops  of  blood  fell  out  of  her  bosom  and  floated  down  the 
stream  without  her  perceiving  it,  because  of  her  great 
anguish.  But  her  servant  had  seen  what  happened,  and 
she  was  glad,  for  now  she  had  power  over  her  mistress ; 
because,  with  the  loss  of  the  drops  of  blood,  she  became 
weak  and  powerless.  When,  then,  she  would  mount 
again  upon  the  horse  Falada,  the  maid  said,  “ No,  Falada 
belongs  to  me;  you  must  get  upon  this  horse;”  and  she 
was  forced  to  yield.  Then  the  servant  bade  her  take  off 
her  royal  clothes,  and  put  on  her  common  ones  instead ; 
and,  lastly,  she  made  the  Princess  promise  and  swear  by 
the  open  sky  that  she  would  say  nought  of  what  had 
passed  at  the  King’s  palace ; for  if  she  had  not  so  sworn 
she  would  have  been  murdered.  But  Falada  observed  all 
that  passed  with  great  attention. 

Now  was  the  servant  mounted  upon  Falada,  and  the 


100 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


rightful  Princess  upon  a sorry  hack ; and  in  that  way  they 
travelled  on  till  they  came  to  the  King’s  palace.  On  their 
arrival  there  were  great  rejoicings,  and  the  young  Prince, 
running  towards  them,  lifted  the  servant  off  her  horse, 
supposing  that  she  was  the  true  bride  ; and  she  was  led  up 
the  steps  in  state,  while  the  real  Princess  had  to  stop  below. 
Just  then  the  old  King  chanced  to  look  out  of  his  window, 
and  saw  her  standing  in  the  court,  and  he  remarked  how 
delicate  and  beautiful  she  was;  and  going  to  the  royal 
apartments,  he  inquired  there  of  the  bride  who  it  was  she 
had  brought  with  her,  and  left  below  in  the  courtyard. 

“ Only  a girl  whom  I brought  with  me  for  company,” 
said  the  bride.  “Give  the  wench  some  work  to  do,  that 
she  may  not  grow  idle.” 

The  old  King,  however,  had  no  work  for  her  and  knew 
of  nothing,  until  at  last  he  said,  “Ah!  there  is  a boy  who 
keeps  the  geese;  she  can  help  him.”  This  youth  was 
called  Conrad,  and  the  true  bride  was  set  to  keep  geese 
with  him. 

Soon  after  this  the  false  bride  said  to  her  betrothed, 
“Dearest,  will  you  grant  me  a favour?”  “Yes,”  said  he, 
“ with  the  greatest  pleasure.”  “ Then  let  the  knacker  be 
summoned,  that  he  may  cut  off  the  head  of  the  horse  on 
which  I rode  hither,  for  it  has  angered  me  on  the  way.” 
In  reality  she  feared  lest  the  horse  might  tell  how  she  had 
used  the  rightful  Princess,  and  she  was  glad  when  it  was 
decided  that  Falada  should  die.  This  came  to  the  ears  of 
the  Princess,  and  she  promised  secretly  to  the  knacker  to 
give  him  a piece  of  gold  if  he  would  show  her  a kindness, 
which  was  that  he  would  nail  the  head  of  Falada  over  a 
certain  large  and  gloomy  arch  through  which  she  had  to 
pass  daily  with  the  geese,  so  that  then  she  might  still  see, 
as  she  had  been  accustomed,  her  old  steed.  The  knacker 
promised,  and,  after  killing  the  horse,  nailed  the  head  in 
the  place  which  was  pointed  out,  over  the  door  of  the  arch. 


. „ ■ 


THE  GOOSE  GIEL.  Voi.  II.  Page  101 


The  Goose  Girl. 


101 


Early  in  tlie  morning,  when  she  and  Conrad  drove 
the  geese  through  the  arch,  she  said  in  passing — 

“ Ah,  Falada,  that  you  should  hang  there  !” 

and  the  head  replied, 

“ Ah,  Princess,  that  you  should  pass  here  1 
If  thy  mother  knew  thy  fate, 

Then  her  heart  would  surely  break  1” 

Then  she  drove  on  through  the  town  to  a field,  and 
when  they  arrived  on  the  meadow  she  sat  down  and  un- 
loosened her  hair,  which  was  of  a pure  gold,  and  its  shining 
appearance  so  charmed  Conrad  that  he  endeavoured  to  pull 
out  a couple  of  locks.  So  she  sang, 

“ Blow,  blow,  thou  wind, 

Blow  Conrad’s  hat  away ; 

Its  rolling  do  not  stay 
Till  I have  combed  my  hair, 

And  tied  it  up  behind.” 

Immediately  there  came  a strong  wind  which  took  Conrad’s 
hat  quite  off  his  head,  and  led  him  a rare  dance  all  over 
the  meadows,  so  that  when  he  returned,  what  with  combing 
and  curling,  the  Princess  had  rearranged  her  hair,  so  that 
he  could  not  catch  a loose  lock.  This  made  Conrad  very 
angry,  and  he  would  not  speak  to  her,  so  that  all  day  long 
they  tended  their  geese  in  silence,  and  at  evening  they 
went  home. 

The  following  morning  they  passed  again  under  the 
gloomy  arch,  and  the  true  Princess  said, 

“ All,  Falada,  that  you  should  hang  there  1” 

and  Falada  replied, 

“ Ah,  Princess,  that  you  should  pass  here  1 
If  thy  mother  knew  thy  fate, 

Then  her  heart  would  surely  break  !” 

Afterwards,  when  they  got  into  the  meadow,  Conrad 


102 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


tried  again  to  snatch  one  of  her  golden  locks,  but  she  sang 
immediately, 

“ Blow,  blow,  thou  wind, 

Blow  Conrad’s  hat  away ; 

Its  rolling  do  not  stay 
Till  I have  combed  my  hair, 

And  tied  it  up  behind.” 

So  the  wind  blew  and  carried  the  hat  so  far  away  that, 
by  the  time  Conrad  had  caught  it  again,  her  hair  was  all 
combed  out,  and  not  a single  one  loose ; so  they  kept  their 
geese  till  evening  as  before. 

After  they  returned  home,  Conrad  went  to  the  old 
King,  and  declared  he  would  no  longer  keep  geese  with 
the  servant. 

“Why  not?”  asked  the  old  King. 

“ Oh  ! she  vexes,  me  the  whole  day  long,”  said  Conrad ; 
and  then  the  King  bade  him  relate  all  that  had  happened. 
So  Conrad  did,  and  told  how  in  the  morning  when  they 
passed  through  a certain  archway  she  spoke  to  a horse’s 
head  which  was  nailed  up  over  the  door,  and  said, 

“ Ah,  Falada,  that  you  should  hang  there  ?” 
and  it  replied, 

“ Ah,  Princess,  that  you  should  pass  here ! 

If  thy  mother  knew  thy  fate, 

Then  her  heart  would  surely  break !” 

and,  further,  when  they  arrived  in  the  meadow,  how  she 
caused  the  wind  to  blow  his  hat  off,  so  that  he  had  to  run 
after  it  ever  so  far.  When  he  had  finished  his  tale  the  old 
King  ordered  him  to  drive  the  geese  out  again  the  next 
morning,  and  he  himself,  when  morning  came,  stationed 
himself  behind  the  gloomy  archway,  and  heard  the  servant 
talk  to  the  head  of  Falada.  Then  he  followed  them  also 
into  the  fields,  and  hid  himself  in  a thicket  by  the  meadow, 
and  there  he  saw  with  his  own  eyes  the  goose  girl  and  boy 


The  Goose  Girl. 


103 


drive  in  their  geese,  and  after  a while  she  sat  down,  and 
unloosening  her  hair,  which  shone  like  gold,  began  to  sing 
the  old  rhyme, 

“ Blow,  blow,  thou  wind, 

Blow  Conrad’s  hat  away  ; 

Its  rolling  do  not  stay 
Till  I have  combed  my  hair, 

And  tied  it  up  behind." 

Then  the  King  felt  a breeze  come  which  took  off  Con- 
rad’s hat,  so  that  he  had  to  run  a long  way  after  it,  while 
the  goose  girl  combed  out  her  hair  and  put  it  back  in 
proper  trim  before  his  return.  All  this  the  King  observed, 
and  then  went  home  unremarked,  and  when  the  goose  girl 
returned  at  evening  he  called  her  aside,  and  asked  her 
what  it  all  meant.  “ That  I dare  not  tell  you,  nor  any 
other  man,”  replied  she;  “for  I have  sworn  by  the  free 
sky  not  to  speak  of  my  griefs,  else  had  I lost  my  life.” 

The  King  pressed  her  to  say  what  it  was,  and  left  her 
no  peace  about  it ; but  still  she  refused,  so  at  last  he  said, 
“ If  you  will  not  tell  me,  tell  your  griefs  to  this  fireplace ;” 
and  he  went  away.  Then  she  crept  into  the  fireplace,  and 
began  to  weep  and  groan,  and  soon  she  relieved  her  heart 
by  telling  her  tale.  “ Here  sit  I,”  she  said,  “ forsaken  by 
all  the  world,  and  yet  I am  a King’s  daughter,  and  a false 
servant  has  exercised  some  charm  over  me,  whereby  I was 
compelled  to  lay  aside  my  royal  clothes ; and  she  has  also 
taken  my  place  at  the  bridegroom’s  side,  and  I am  forced 
to  perform  the  common  duties  of  a goose  girl.  Oh!  if 
my  mother  knew  this,  her  heart  would  break  with  grief.” 
The  old  King  meanwhile  stood  outside  by  the  chimney 
and  listened  to  what  she  said,  and  when  she  had  finished 
he  came  in  and  called  her  away  from  the  fireplace.  Then 
her  royal  clothes  were  put  on,  and  it  was  a wonder  to  see 
how  beautiful  she  was ; and  the  old  King,  calling  his  son, 
showed  him  that  it  was  a false  bride  whom  he  had  taken, 


104 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


/ 


who  was  only  a servant  girl,  but  the  true  bride  stood  there 
as  a goose  girl.  The  young  King  was  glad  indeed  at  heart 
when  he  saw  her  beauty  and  virtue,  and  a great  feast  was 
announced,  to  which  all  people  and  good  friends  were  in- 
vited. On  a raised  platform  sat  the  bridegroom,  with  the 
Princess  on  one  side  and  the  servant  girl  on  the  other. 
But  the  latter  was  dazzled,  and  recognised  her  mistress  no 
longer  in  her  shining  dress.  When  they  had  finished  their 
feasting,  and  were  beginning  to  be  gay,  the  old  King  set  a 
riddle  to  the  servant  girl : What  such  an  one  were  worthy 
of  who  had,  in  such  and  such  a manner,  deceived  her 
masters ; and  he  related  all  that  had  happened  to  the  true 
bride.  The  servant  girl  replied,  “ Such  an  one  deserves 
nothing  better  than  to  be  put  into  a cask,  stuck  all  round 
with  sharp  nails,  and  then  by  two  horses  to  be  dragged 
through  street  after  street  till  the  wretch  be  killed.” 

“ Thou  art  the  woman,  then !”  exclaimed  the  King ; 
“ thou  hast  proclaimed  thine  own  punishment,  and  it  shall 
be  strictly  fulfilled!” 

The  sentence  was  immediately  carried  into  effect,  and 
afterwards  the  young  King  married  his  rightful  bride,  and 
together  they  ruled  their  kingdom  long  in  peace  and  hap- 
piness. 


% 


cx. 


The  Two  Kings’  Children. 


/^VNCE  upon  a time  there  was  a King  who  had  a little 
boy  of  whom  it  was  foretold  that  when  he  was  six- 
teen years  old  he  would  be  killed  by  a stag.  Just  when 
he  had  reached  this  age,  he  went  out  hunting  with  the 
royal  huntsman,  and  during  the  chase,  the  Prince  wandered 
away  from  his  companions,  and  soon  perceived  a fine  stag, 
which  he  took  a fancy  to  shoot.  He  pursued  it  a long 
way  without  success,  until  the  stag  ran  into  a little  hollow, 
where  it  changed  itself  into  a tall,  thin  man,  who  said  to 
the  Prince,  “ Now  all  is  well ; I have  caught  you  at  last ; 
often  have  I followed  you  with  silent  footsteps,  but  never 
till  this  time  could  I catch  you.”  So  saying,  the  man  took 
the  Prince  with  him,  and  rowed  him  over  a wide  lake,  till 
they  came  to  a royal  palace,  where  they  sat  down  at  a 
table  and  partook  of  a meal  together.  When  they  had 
finished  the  King  said,  “ I have  three  daughters,  the  eldest 
of  whom  you  must  watch  this  night,  sitting  from  nine 
o’clock  in  the  evening  till  morning;  and  every  time  the 
clock  strikes  I shall  come,  and  call  gently,  and,  if  you  give 
me  no  answers,  in  the  morning  you  shall  die;  but,  if  you 
reply  readily  each  time,  you  shall  have  my  daughter  to 
wife.” 

When  the  young  Prince  was  led  into  the  chamber,  he 
saw  a great  stone  image  there,  to  which  the  Princess  said, 
“ When  my  father  comes  at  nine,  and  every  hour  after- 
wards, do  you  give  an  answer  when  he  speaks  instead  of 
the  Prince.”  The  stone  image  nodded  its  head,  at  first 
rapidly,  and  then  gradually  slower,  till  it  stopped  alto- 
gether. The  next  morning  the  King  told  the  Prince  he 
VOL.  II. — 5* 


106 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


had  performed  his  work  well,  hut  he  could  not  yet  give  up 
his  daughter,  and  he  must  watch  this  night  the  second  one, 
and  after  that  he  would  consider  about  giving  him  his 
eldest  daughter  to  wife.  “Again,”  said  he,  “I  shall  come 
every  hour,  and  call  gently,  that  you  may  answer;  but  if 
you  do  not  answer,  your  blood  shall  flow  as  a punishment!” 

With  this  they  went  up  to  the  second  daughter’s  cham- 
ber, and  there  stood  a much  larger  image,  which  the  Prin- 
cess bade  to  answer  when  the  King  called.  The  large 
stone  image  thereupon  nodded  its  head,  as  the  other  had 
done,  first  in  quick  time,  and  gradually  slower,  till  it  stood 
still.  The  Prince  laid  down  upon  the  threshold  and  went 
to  sleep,  with  his  head  resting  upon  his  arm,  and  the  next 
morning  the  King  said  again,  “ I cannot  now  give  up  my 
daughter,  although  you  have  performed  what  I required  ; 
so  this  night  you  must  watch  my  youngest  child,  and  then 
I will  consider  if  you  can  have  my  second  daughter  to  wife ; 
again  I shall  come  every  hour,  and  call,  and,  if  you  reply, 
well  and  good ; but  if  not,  your  blood  must  flow  in  satis- 
faction !” 

They  ascended  to  the  youngest  Princess’s  room,  and 
there  was  a muck  taller  and  larger  image,  twice  as  big  as 
the  other  two,  to  which  this  Princess  also  said,  “ Answer, 
if  my  father  calls.”  The  tall  image  nodded  its  head  for 
half  an  hour  and  then  ceased,  while  the  King’s  son  laid 
down  upon  the  threshold,  as  before,  and  went  to  sleep. 
The  following  morning  the  King  said  he  had  certainly 
watched  well,  but  still  he  could  not  give  him  his  daughter 
till  he  had  first  removed  a certain  huge  forest,  which,  if  he 
had  effected  by  the  evening  of  that  day,  he  would  consider 
the  matter.  Then  he  gave  him  a glass  axe,  a glass  wedge, 
and  a glass  mallet,  with  which  the  Prince  began  his  work ; 
but  at  the  first  stroke  the  axe  broke  in  halves,  and  at  the 
first  blow  both  the  wedge  and  the  mallet  were  shivered  to 
pieces.  Thereupon  he  was  so  troubled,  believing  that  he 


The  Two  Kings’  Children. 


107 


should  be  put  to  death,  that  he  sat  down  and  wept.  And, 
as  it  was  just  noonday,  the  King  said  to  his  daughters, 
“ One  of  you  must  take  him  something  to  eat.”  “ No,  no,” 
said  the  two  eldest,  “ we  will  not ; let  the  one  he  watched 
last  wait  upon  him.”  So  the  youngest  Princess  had  to 
carry  the  Prince  his  meal,  and  when  she  got  to  the  forest 
she  asked  him  how  he  got  on?  “Alas!”  said  the  youth, 
“ everything  goes  ill !”  The  Princess  pressed  him  to  eat  a 
bit  before  he  went  on,  but  he  refused,  saying,  “ No ; I must 
die,  and  I am  resolved  I will  eat  no  more.”  At  length  he 
was  over-persuaded  and  did  eat  what  she  brought.  When 
he  had  finished,  she  made  him  play  at  ball  with  her ; and 
soon  he  fell  asleep  from  weariness.  Then  she  took  her 
handkerchief,  and  tied  a knot  in  the  end,  with  which  she 
knocked  three  times  upon  the  ground,  and  cried,  “ Earth- 
men,  come  up!”  Immediately  ever  so  many  little  dwarfs 
made  their  appearance,  and  inquired  of  the  Princess  what 
she  wanted.  “In  three  hours  from  this  time,”  said  she, 
“ this  forest  must  be  cleared  away,  and  all  the  timber  piled 
up  in  heaps.” 

The  earthmen  collected  all  their  forces,  and  set  to  work, 
and  in  three  hours  all  was  completed,  and  they  summoned 
the  Princess  to  see,  who  thereupon  rapped  upon  the  ground 
again,  crying,  “Earthmen,  go  home!”  and  all  disappeared 
at  once.  Then  she  awoke  the  Prince,  who  was  overjoyed 
to  see  what  was  done ; but  she  bade  him  not  return  till  it 
struck  six.  At  that  time  he  came  back,  and  the  Kinsr  in- 
quired  if  he  had  done  his  work.  “Yes,”  answered  the 
Prince,  “ I have  cleared  away  the  forest.”  Afterwards  they 
sat  down  to  supper,  and  the  King  then  told  the  Prince  he 
could  not  yet  give  him  any  of  his  daughters  to  wife  till  he 
had  performed  another  work.  This  was  to  clear  out  a 
deep  ditch  and  fill  it  with  water,  so  that  it  should  look  as 
clear  as  a mirror,  and,  besides,  be  full  of  all  sorts  of  fish. 
The  next  morning  accordingly  the  King  gave  him  a glass 


108 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


spade,  and  said  the  ditch  must  be  ready  at  six  o’clock. 
The  Prince  began  to  dig  at  once,  but  as  soon  as  he  struck 
the  spade  into  the  ground  it  broke  in  two,  as  the  hatchet 
had  done  the  day  before.  He  was  sore  troubled,  for  he  knew 
not  what  to  do,  and  waited  till  noonday,  when  the  youngest 
Princess  again  brought  him  his  dinner,  and  asked  him  how 
he  got  on.  “ Alas  !”  said  he,  hiding  his  face  in  his  hands, 
“ the  same  ill-luck  has  befallen  me.”  The  Princess  tried  to 
comfort  him,  saying  that  he  would  think  differently  when 
he  had  eaten  and  rested.  Still  he  refused,  declaring  that 
he  should  die,  and  would  eat  no  more.  At  last  she  per- 
suaded him  to  sit  down,  and  when  he  had  finished  he  fell 
asleep,  being  weary  with  care.  And  while  he  was  snoring 
the  Princess  took  out  her  handkerchief  and  rapped  on  the 
ground  as  before,  thrice,  while  she  called,  “Earthmen, 
come  up !”  They  appeared  at  once,  and  asked  her  busi- 
ness. “ In  three  hours  from  this  time  you  must  clear  this 
ditch,  and  make  it  as  clear  as  crystal ; and  besides,  all  sorts 
of  fish  must  be  within  it.” 

The  earthmen  thereupon  collected  all  their  strength, 
and  worked  so  hard  that  in  two  hours  it  was  all  ready. 
"When  they  had  done,  they  told  the  Princess  her  command 
was  obeyed,  and  she,  rapping  thrice  on  the  earth  as  before, 
said,  “ Return  home,  then,  earthmen !”  They  all  disap- 
peared at  once,  and  she  awoke  the  Prince,  who  saw  that 
the  ditch  was  ready.  Then  the  Princess  returned  home, 
and  bade  him  not  come  till  six  o’clock,  at  which  hour  he 
arrived,  and  the  King  asked  him  whether  the  ditch  were 
ready.  “ Yes,”  he  replied.  “ That  is  well,”  said  the  King; 
but  at  supper  he  again  declared  that  he  could  not  give  up 
his  daughter  till  he  had  done  another  thing.  “ What,  then, 
is  that?”  asked  the  Prince.  “ There  is  a great  hill,”  replied 
the  King,  “whereon  are  several  crags  of  rock,  which  must 
all  be  demolished ; and  instead  thereof  you  must  build  up 
a fine  castle,  which  must  be  stronger  than  one  can  imagine ; 


The  Two  Kings’  Children. 


109 


and,  besides,  filled  with  every  necessary  appurtenance.” 
The  following  morning  the  King  gave  him  a glass  pickaxe 
and  bore,  and  told  him  the  work  must  be  ready  by  six 
o’clock.  At  the  first  stroke  with  the  pickaxe  the  pieces 
flew  far  and  wide,  and  he  had  only  the  handle  left  in  his 
hands,  and  the  bore  would  make  no  impression.  At  these 
misfortunes  he  was  quite  disheartened,  and  sat  down  to 
wait  and  see  if  his  mistress  would  assist  him.  At  noonday 
she  came  as  before,  bringing  him  somewhat  to  eat,  and  he 
ran  up  to  her,  and  told  her  all  his  troubles.  First  she  made 
him  eat  and  go  to  sleep  as  before,  and  then  she  rapped 
thrice  as  before  with  her  knotted  handkerchief  on  the 
ground,  crying,  “ Come  up,  little  earthmen  !”  They  made 
their  appearance  at  once,  and  asked  her  wishes.  And  she 
told  them  that,  in  three  hours  from  that  time,  they  must 
remove  all  the  rocks  which  were  on  the  hill,  and  build  in 
their  stead  a noble  castle,  finer  than  any  one  had  ever  seen, 
and  filled,  moreover,  with  all  the  necessary  appurtenances. 
The  dwarfs  fetched  their  tools  and  worked  away,  and  in 
the  three  hours  they  completed  everything.  They  told  the 
Princess  when  they  had  finished,  and  she,  rapping  on  the 
ground  as  before  three  times  with  her  knotted  handker- 
chief, cried,  “Earthmen,  go  home!”  and  immediately  they 
all  disappeared.  Then  she  awoke  the  Prince;  and  they 
were  merry  together  as  birds  in  the  air,  and  when  six 
o’clock  struck  they  went  home  together.  The  King  asked, 
“ Is  that  castle  ready,  too  ?”  “ Yes,”  was  the  reply.  After- 
wards, when  they  sat  down  to  table,  the  King  said  to  the 
Prince,  “ I cannot  give  you  my  youngest  daughter  till  you 
have  asked  her  two  sisters.”  This  speech  saddened  both 
the  Princess  and  the  Prince,  who  knew  not  what  to  do; 
But  at  night  he  came  to  her,  and  they  escaped  together; 
but  on  the  way  the  Princess  looked  back,  and  saw  her 
father  pursuing  them.  “ Alas !”  she  cried,  “ what  shall 
we  do  ? my  father  is  behind  us,  and  will  overtake  us ; I 


110 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


will  change  you  into  a thorn-bush,  and  myself  into  a rose, 
and  always  rest  in  your  protection.” 

So  when  the  father  came  to  the  spot  he  found  only  a 
thorn-bush  and  a rose,  which  he  was  going  to  pull  off, 
when  the  thorns  pricked  his  finger,  and  sent  him  home 
again.  On  his  return  his  wife  asked  him  why  he  had  not 
brought  them  with  him,  and  he  told  her  he  had  followed 
them  till  he  had  lost  sight  of  them,  and  when  he  came  to 
the  spot  he  found  only  a thorn  and  a rose.  “You  should 
have  broken  the  rose-bud  off,  and  the  thorn-bush  would 
have  followed  of  itself!”  exclaimed  his  wife.  Thereupon 
he  went  away  to  fetch  the  rose,  but  in  the  mean  time  the 
two  had  escaped  farther  away  from  the  field  where  he  left 
them,  and  the  King  was  obliged  to  follow  them.  The 
Princess  peeped  behind  her,  and  seeing  her  father  coming, 
cried,  “Ah!  now  what  shall  we  do?  I will  transform  you 
into  a church,  and  myself  into  the  parson,  and  mount  in 
the  pulpit  to  jireach.”  So  when  the  King  came  to  the 
spot,  he  found  a church  and  a parson  preaching  in  the 
pulpit,  so  he  stopped  and  heard  the  sermon  and  then 
returned  home.  The  Queen  asked  if  he  had  brought  the 
fugitive,  and  he  replied  no : he  had  followed  them  to  the 
spot  where  he  thought  they  were,  and  had  seen  only  a 
church,  in  the  pulpit  of  which  a parson  was  delivering  a 
sermon.  “You  shoyld  have  brought  the  parson  with 
you,”  said  his  wife ; “ the  church  must  have  followed  also ; 
but  now  I must  go  myself,  for  it  is  useless  to  send  }’ou.” 
Just  as  she  was  getting  near  the  church,  the  Princess, 
peeping  around,  saw  her  mother  coming,  and  exclaimed, 
“ This  is  worse  luck  than  all,  for  here  comes  mother ; I 
will  change  you  into  a pond  and  myself  into  a fish.”  So 
when  the  Queen  came  to  the  place  she  found  a large  pond, 
and  in  the  midst  of  it  a fish  swimming  about  and  leaping 
out  of  the  water  merrily.  The  Queen  tried  to  catch  the 
fish,  but  she  could  not  manage  it,  and  so  she  drank  up  the 


The  Two  Kings’  Children. 


Ill 


whole  pond,  but  it  soon  filled  again,  and  she  found  that 
she  could  not  succeed.  So  she  turned  to  go  home,  but 
first  she  gave  her  daughter  three  walnuts,  and  said,  “ With 
these  you  can  help  yourself  if  you  are  in  necessity.” 

The  young  people  journeyed  on  again,  and  in  about  an 
hour’s  time  they  came  in  sight  of  the  castle  where  the 
Prince  formerly  dwelt,  close  by  which  was  a village.  The 
Prince,  as  they  approached  the  place,  said  to  his  com- 
panions, “ Stop  here,  my  dearest,  while  I go  up  to  the 
castle  and  bring  down  carriages  and  servants  to  meet 
you.” 

As  soon  as  he  arrived  at  the  castle  there  was  great 
rejoicing  at  his  return,  and  he  told  them  his  bride  was 
waiting  for  him  down  in  the  village  below  while  he  went 
to  bring  a carriage.  The  servants  soon  harnessed  the 
horses  and  placed  themselves  behind  the  carriage  ; but  the 
Prince,  before  he  got  in,  kissed  his  mother,  and  as  soon  as 
he  had  done  so  he  forgot  all  that  had  happened  and  all 
that  he  was  about.  The  Queen  Mother  then  commanded 
the  horses  to  be  taken  out  of  the  carriage,  and  all  went 
back  into  the  house. 

Meanwhile  the  Princess  remained  below  in  the  village 
waiting  and  waiting  to  be  fetched,  but  nobody  came,  and 
by-and-by  she  hired  herself  to  the  miller  whose  mill  be- 
longed to  the  castle,  and  there,  by  the  water,  she  sat  all 
day  long  washing  linen.  One  morning  the  Queen  came 
by  the  stream  while  she  was  taking  an  airing,  and  saw  the 
maiden  sitting  there.  “What  a fine  girl  that  is!”  she 
exclaimed,  “she  pleases  me  well!”  but  the  Queen  passed 
on  and  thought  no  more  about  her.  So  the  maiden 
remained  a long  while  with  the  miller,  till  the  time  came 
that  the  Queen  had  found  a bride  from  a far  distant  coun- 
try for  her  son.  When  this  bride  came  a great  number 
of  people  were  invited  to  celebrate  her  arrival,  and  the 
maiden  asked  leave  of  her  master  to  go  too.  On  the 


112 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


wedding-day  she  opened  one  of  the  three  nuts  her  mother 
had  given  her,  and  in  it  she  found  a very  beautiful  dress, 
which  she  put  on,  and  went  into  the  church  and  took  a 
place  near  the  aMr.  Presently  the  bride  and  bridegroom 
entered  and  placed  themselves  before  the  altar,  but,  just  as 
the  priest  was  about  to  bless  them,  the  bride,  peeping  on 
one  side,  saw  the  maiden  with  the  beautiful  dress,  and 
thereupon  refused  to  be  married  unless  she  was  dressed 
the  same.  So  all  the  train  had  to  return  home,  and  the 
strange  lady  was  asked  if  she  would  lend  her  dress.  Xo ! 
and  neither  would  she  sell  it  for  any  money  ; but  there 
was  one  condition  on  which  she  would  part  with  it.  This 
was,  that  she  should  be  allowed  to  sleep  one  night  before 
the  door  of  the  Prince’s  chamber.  This  was  granted  ; but 
the  servants  gave  their  master  a sleeping  draught,  so  that 
he  did  not  hear  a word  of  the  maiden’s  plaints,  and  there 
she  lay  all  night  long  endeavouring  to  remind  him  how 
she  had  cut  down  the  wood  for  him,  filled  up  the  ditch, 
built  the  castle,  changed  him  into  a thorn-bush,  a church, 
and  lastly  a pond,  and  yet  he  had  forsaken  her.  But  the 
Prince  heard  nothing,  and  the  next  morning  the  bride  put 
on  the  dress,  and  they  went  again  to  church.  Then  the 
same  events  took  place  as  the  day  before,  and  the  maiden 
had  leave  to  sleep  again  in  return  for  her  dress.  This 
time  the  Prince  did  not  take  his  draught,  and  he  heard  all 
her  complaint  and  was  very  much  troubled.  The  next 
morning  he  went  to  the  maiden  and  begged  her  forgive- 
ness for  all  his  forgetfulness.  The  true  bride  then  drew 
out  and  cracked  her  third  nut,  and  the  dress  which  laid  in 
it  was  so  beautiful  that  all  the  boys  and  girls  ran  after,  and 
strewed  flowers  in  the  path  of  the  bride.  So  the  Prince 
and  Princess  were  happily  married;  but  the  old  Queen 
and  the  envious  bride  were  forced  to  run  away. 


CXI. 

The  Yaliant  Tailor. 


HP  HERE  was  once  upon  a time  an  excessively  proud 
J-  Princess,  who  proposed  a puzzle  to  every  one  who 
came  a-courting;  and  he  who  did  not  solve  it  was  sent 
away  with  ridicule  and  scorn.  This  conduct  was  talked 
about  everywhere,  and  it  was  said  that  whoever  was  lucky 
enough  to  guess  the  riddle  would  have  the  Princess  for  a 
wife.  About  that  time  it  happened  that  three  Tailors 
came  in  company  to  the  town  where  the  Princess  dwelt, 
and  the  two  elder  of  them  were  confident,  when  they  heard 
the  report,  that  they  should  without  doubt  be  successful, 
since  they  had  made  so  many  fine  and  good  stitches.  The 
third  Tailor  was  an  idle,  good-for-nothing  fellow,  who  did 
not  understand  his  own  trade ; but  still  he  likewise  was 
sure  of  his  own  powers  of  guessing  a riddle.  The  two 
others,  however,  would  fain  have  persuaded  him  to  stop 
at  home ; but  he  was  obstinate,  and  said  he  would  go,  for 
he  had  set  his  heart  upon  it ; and  thereupon  he  marched 
off  as  if  the  whole  world  belonged  to  him. 

The  three  Tailors  presented  themselves  before  the  Prin- 
cess, and  told  her  they  were  come  to  solve  her  riddle,  for 
they  were  the  only  proper  people,  since  each  of  them  had 
an  understanding  so  fine  that  one  could  thread  a needle 
with  it  I “ Then,”  said  the  Princess,  “ it  is  this:  I have  a 
hair  upon  my  head  of  two  colours  ; which  are  they  ?” 

“If  that  is  all,”  said  the  first  man,  “it  is  black  and 
white  like  the  cloth  which  is  called  pepper  and  salt.” 

“ Wrong!”  said  the  Princess  ; “ now,  second  man,  try  1” 
“It  is  not  black  and  white,  but  brown  and  red,”  said 
he,  “like  my  father’s  holiday  coat.” 


114 


Grimm's  Household  Stories. 


“ Wrong  again  !”  cried  tire  Princess;  “ now  try,  third 
man  ; who  I see  will  be  sure  to  guess  rightly  I” 

The  little  Tailor  stepped  forward,  bold  as  brass,  and 
said,  “ The  Princess  has  a gold  and  silver  hair  on  her 
head,  and  those  are  the  two  colours.” 

When  the  Princess  heard  this  she  turned  pale,  and 
very  nearly  fell  down  to  the  ground  with  fright,  for  the 
Tailor  had  guessed  her  riddle,  which  she  believed  nobody 
in  the  world  could  have  solved.  As  soon  as  she  recovered 
herself,  she  said  to  the  Tailor,  “ That  is  not  all  you  have  to 
do  ; in  the  stable  below  lies  a Bear,  with  which  you  must 
pass  the  night ; and  if  you  are  alive  when  I come  in  the 
morning  I will  marry  you.” 

The  little  Tailor  readily  consented,  exclaiming,  “Brave- 
ly ventured  is  half  won  !”  But  the  Princess  thought  her- 
self quite  safe,  for  as  yet  the  Bear  had  spared  no  one  who 
came  within  reach  of  its  paws. 

As  soon  as  evening  came  the  little  Tailor  was  taken  to 
the  place  where  the  Bear  lay  ; and,  as  soon  as  he  entered 
the  stable,  the  beast  made  a spring  at  him.  “Softly, 
softly  !”  cried  the  Tailor,  “ I must  teach  you  manners !” 
And  out  of  his  pocket  he  took  some  nuts,  which  he  cracked 
between  his  teeth  quite  unconcernedly.  As  soon  as  the 
Bear  saw  this  he  took  a fancy  to  have  some  nuts  also : 
and  the  Tailor  gave  him  a handful  out  of  his  pocket;  not 
of  nuts,  but  of  pebbles.  The  Bear  put  them  into  its  mouth, 
but  he  could  not  crack  them,  try  all  he  might.  “ What  a 
blockhead  I am!”  he  cried  to  himself;  “I  can’t  crack  a 
few  nuts!  Will  you  crack  them  for  me?”  said  he  to  the 
Tailor.  “ What  a fellow  you  are !”  exclaimed  the  Tailor ; 
“ with  such  a big  mouth  as  that,  and  can’t  crack  a small 
nut !”  With  these  words  he  cunningly  substituted  a nut 
for  the  pebble  which  the  Bear  handed  him,  and  soon 
cracked  it. 

“I  must  try  once  more!”  said  the  Bear;  “it  seems  an 


The  Valiant  Tailor. 


115 


easy  matter  to  manage !”  And  he  bit  and  bit  with  all  his 
strength,  but,  as  you  may  believe,  all  to  no  purpose. 
When  the  beast  was  tired,  the  little  Tailor  produced  a 
fiddle  out  of  his  coat,  and  played  a tune  upon  it,  which  as 
soon  as  the  Bear  heard  he  began  to  dance  in  spite  of  him- 
self. In  a little  while  he  stopped  and  asked  the  Tailor 
whether  it  was  easy  to  learn  the  art  of  fiddling.  “ Easy 
as  child’s  play!”  said  the  Tailor;  “you  lay  your  left 
fingers  on  the  strings,  and  with  the  right  hold  the  bow : 
and  then  away  it  goes.  Merrily,  merrily,  hop-su-sa,  oi- 
val-lera !” 

“ Oh  ! well,  if  that  is  fiddling,”  cried  the  Bear,  “ I may 
as  well  learn  that,  and  then  I can  dance  as  often  as  I like. 
What  do  you  think?  Will  you  give  me  instruction?” 

“With  all  my  heart!”  replied  the  Tailor,  “if  you  are 
clever  enough ; but  let  me  see  your  claws,  they  are  fright- 
fully long,  and  I must  cut  them  a bit !”  By  chance  a vice 
was  lying  in  one  corner,  on  which  the  Bear  laid  his  paws, 
and  the  Tailor  screwed  them  fast.  “ Now  wait  till  I come 
with  the  scissors,”  said  he;  and,  leaving  the  Bear  groaning 
and  growling,  he  laid  himself  down  in  a corner  on  a bun- 
dle of  straw  and  went  to  sleep. 

Meanwhile  the  Princess  was  rejoicing  to  think  she  had 
got  rid  of  the  Tailor;  and  especially  when  she  heard  the 
Bear  growling,  for  she  thought  it  was  with  satisfaction  for 
his  prey.  In  the  morning  accordingly  she  went  down  to 
the  stable;  but  as  soon  as  she  looked  in  she  saw  the  Tailor 
as  fresh  and  lively  as  a fish  in  water.  She  was  much 
alarmed,  but  it  was  of  no  use,  for  her  word  had  been 
openly  pledged  to  the  marriage ; and  the  King  her  father 
ordered  a carriage  to  be  brought,  in  which  she  and  the 
Tailor  went  away  to  the  church  to  the  wedding.  Just  as 
they  had  set  off,  the  two  other  Tailors,  who  were  very 
envious  of  their  brother’s  fortune,  went  into  the  stable  and 
released  the  Bear,  who  immediately  ran  after  the  carriage 


116  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

which  contained  the  bridal  party.  The  Princess  heard  the 
beast  growling  and  groaning,  and  became  very  much 
frightened,  and  cried  to  the  Tailor,  “ Oh,  the  Bear  is 
behind,  coming  to  fetch  you  away !”  The  Tailor  was  up 
in  a minute,  stood  on  his  head,  put  his  feet  out  of  the 
window,  and  cried  to  the  Bear,  “Do  you  see  this  vice?  if 
you  do  not  go  away  you  shall  have  a taste  of  it!”  The 
Bear  considered  him  a minute,  and  then  turned  tail  and 
ran  back ; while  the  Tailor  drove  on  to  church  with  the 
Princess,  and  made  her  his  wife.  And  very  happy  they' 
were  after  the  marriage,  as  merry  as  larks ; and  to  the  end 
of  their  lives  they  lived  in  contentment. 


CXII. 

The  Blue  Light. 


Y|  ''HEKE  was  once  "upon  a time  a Soldier,  who  had 
l served  his  King  faithfully  for  many  years ; but  when 
the  war  came  to  a close,  the  Soldier,  on  account  of  his 
many  wounds,  was  disabled,  and  the  King  said  to  him, 
“You  may  go  home,  for  I no  longer  need  you:  but  you 
will  not  receive  any  more  pay,  for  I have  no  money  but 
for  those  who  render  me  a service  for  it.”  The  Soldier  did 
not  know  where  to  earn  a livelihood,  and,  full  of  care,  he 
walked  on  the  whole  day  ignorant  whither  he  went,  till 
about  night  he  came  to  a large  forest.  Through  the  dark- 
ness which  covered  everything  he  saw  a light,  and  ap- 
proaching it,  he  found  a hut  wherein  dwelt  a Witch. 
“ Please  give  me  a night’s  lodging,  and  something  to  eat 
and  drink,  or  I shall  perish,”  said  he  to  the  old  woman. 
“Oho!  who  gives  anj^thing  to  a worn-out  Soldier!”  she 
replied;  “still  out  of  compassion  I will  take  you  in,  if  you 
will  do  what  I desire.”  The  Soldier  asked  what  she  wished, 
and  she  told  him  she  wanted  her  garden  dug  over.  To  this 
he  willingly  consented,  and  the  following  day,  accordingly, 
he  worked  with  all  his  strength,  but  could  not  get  his 
work  finished  by  evening.  “ I see  very  well,”  said  the 
Witch,  “ that  you  cannot  get  further  to-day,  so  I will  shelter 
you  another  night ; and  in  return  you  shall  fetch  me  a pile 
of  faggots  to-morrow,  and  chop  them  small.”  The  Soldier 
worked  all  day  long  at  this  job,  but  as  he  did  not  finish  till 
quite  the  evening,  the  Witch  again  proposed  that  he  should 
stop  the  night.  “You  shall  have  but  a very  little  work 
to-morrow,”  said  she ; “ I want  you  to  fetch  me  out  of  a 
half-dry  well  behind  my  house,  my  blue  light,  which  floats 


118 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


there  without  ever  going  out.”  The  next  morning,  accord 
ingly,  the  old  Witch  led  him  to  the  well,  and  let  him  down 
into  it  in  a basket.  He  soon  found  the  blue  light,  and  made 
a sign  to  be  drawn  up ; and  as  soon  as  he  reached  the  top, 
the  old  woman  tried  to  snatch  the  blue  light  out  of  his 
hand.  “ Ho,  no !”  cried  the  Soldier,  perceiving  her  wicked 
intentions,  “no,  no,  I don’t  give  up  the  light  till  both  my 
feet  stand  on  dry  ground.”  The  Witch  flew  into  a passion 
when  he  said  so,  and  letting  him  fall  down  into  the  well 
again,  went  away. 

The  poor  Soldier  fell  without  injury  on  the  soft  mud, 
and  the  blue  light  kept  burning:  but  to  what  use?  he  saw 
well  that  he  should  not  escape  death.  For  a while  he  sat 
there  in  great  trouble,  and  at  length  searching  in  his  pocket, 
he  took  out  his  tobacco-pipe,  which  was  only  half-smoked 
out.  “ This  shall  be  my  last  consolation,”  said  he  to  him- 
self ; and  lighting  the  pipe  at  the  blue  light,  he  began  to 
puff.  As  soon,  now,  as  the  smoke  began  to  ascend,  a little 
black  man  suddenly  stood  before  .the  Soldier,  and  asked, 
“Master,  what  are  your  commands?” 

“ What  are  my  commands?”  repeated  the  astonished 
Soldier.  “I  must  do  all  you  desire,”  replied  the  Dwarf. 
“That  is  well,”  said  the  Soldier;  “then  help  me  first  out 
of  this  well.”  The  Hwarf,  thereupon,  took  him  by  the 
hand  and  led  him  through  a subterraneous  passage  out  of 
the  well,  while  he  carried  the  blue  light  with  him.  On  the 
way  he  showed  the  Soldier  the  concealed  treasure  of  the 
Witch,  of  which  he  took  as  much  as  he  could  carry;  and 
as  soon  as  they  were  out  of  the  ground  he  bade  the  Dwarf 
fetch  the  old  Witch,  and  take  her  before  the  judge.  In  a 
very  short  time  she  was  brought  riding  on  a wild  cat, 
which  made  a fearful  noise,  and  ran  as  swiftly  as  the  wind: 
and  the  Dwarf,  taking  them  before  the  judge,  quickly  re- 
turned to  his  master,  with  the  news  that  the  Witch  was 
hung  on  the  gallows.  “ Master,  what  else  have  you  to 


The  Blue  Light. 


119 


command?”  inquired  the  Dwarf.  “Nothing  further  at 
present,”  replied  the  Soldier,  “and  now  you  can  go  home, 
only  be  at  hand  when  I summon  you  again.” 

“All  that  is  necessary  for  that,”  said  the  Dwarf,  “is, 
that  you  should  light  your  pipe  at  the  blue  lamp,  and  im- 
mediately I shall  present  myself.”  With  these  words  the 
little  man  disappeared. 

Then  the  Soldier  returned  to  the  city  from  whence  he 
first  came,  and,  going  to  the  head  inn,  ordered  some  fine 
clothes,  and  bade  the  landlord  furnish  him  a room  in  the 
most  expensive  style.  As  soon  as  it  was  ready,  the  Sol- 
dier took  possession  of  it,  and  summoned  the  black  Dwarf, 
to  whom  he  said,  “ The  King  of  this  city  I served  formerly 
for  many  years,  faithfully,  but  he  sent  me  away  to  suffer 
hunger,  and  now  I will  take  my  revenge.” 

“What  shall  I do  then?”  inquired  the  Dwarf.  “Late 
in  the  evening,  when  the  King's  daughter  is  asleep,  you 
must  fetch  her  out  of  her  bed,  and  bring  her  here  to  wait 
upon  me  as  my  maid-servant.” 

The  Dwarf  expostulated  with  the  Soldier,  but  to  no 
purpose,  telling  him  that  though  it  would  be  an  easy 
matter  for  him  to  bring  her,  it  might  cause  him  danger  if 
it  were  found  out.  Accordingly,  when  twelve  o’clock 
struck,  the  Dwarf  appeared  with  the  Princess.  “ Aha ! 

you  are  there,”  cried  the  Soldier,  to  the  Princess;  “come, 
fetch  your  brush  and  sweep  the  room.”  When  she  had 
done  that,  he  called  her  to  his  seat,  and,  stretching  his  feet 
out,  bade  her  pull  off  his  boots.  This  she  did,  and,  as  he 
threw  the  boots  in  her  face,  she  was  obliged  to  go  and  wash 
herself.  But  all  was  done  by  her  with  eyes  half  shut, 
without  complaint  or  resistance ; and  at  the  first  crow  of 
the  cock  the  Dwarf  carried  her  back  again  to  bed  in  the 
royal  castle. 

The  next  morning  when  the  Princess  arose  she  went 
to  her  father,  and  told  him  what  a curious  dream  she  had 
had.  “I  was  carried,”  she  said,  “through  the  streets  with 


120 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


lightning  speed,  and  taken  into  the  room  of  a soldier, 
whom  I waited  upon  as  his  maid,  even  sweeping  the  room, 
and  polishing  his  boots.  But  it  was  only  a dream,  and 
yet  I am  as  tired  as  if  I had  really  done  all  this  work.” 

“The  dream  may  have  been  real,” said  the  King,  “and 
so  I will  give  you  this  piece  of  advice.  To-night,  fill  your 
pocket  with  peas,  and  make  a hole  in  it,  so  that  if  you  are 
fetched  again,  they  will  drop  through  as  you  go  along,  and 
leave  a trace  on  the  road.” 

While  the  King  spoke  this  the  Dwarf  was  standing  by 
and  overheard  all  he  said  ; and  at  night  he  strewed  peas  in 
every  street,  so  that  those  dropped  by  the  Princess,  as  he 
carried  her  along,  were  no  guide  afterwards.  The  poor 
maiden  had  again  to  do  all  sorts  of  hard  work  till  the  first 
cock-crow,  when  the  dwarf  took  her  home  to  bed. 

The  next  morning  the  King  sent  out  his  servants  to 
seek  traces  of  his  daughter’s  journey:  but  it  -was  all  in 
vain,  for  in  every  street  the  children  were  picking  up  the 
peas  and  saying,  “ It  has  rained  peas  during  the  night.” 

“ We  must  think  of  some  other  plan,”  said  the  King, 
when  his  servants  returned  unsuccessful ; and  he  advised 
his  daughter  to  keep  her  shoes  on  when  she  went  to  bed  ; 
and  then,  if  she  were  carried  off,  she  must  leave  one  be- 
hind in  the  room  whither  she  was  taken,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing it  should  be  searched  after.  But  the  black  Dwarf 
again  overheard  the  plan,  and  counselled  the  Soldier  not 
to  have  the  Princess  that  evening,  for  there  was  no  remedy 
for  the  stratagem  her  father  had  planned.  The  Soldier, 
however,  would  be  obeyed,  although  the  finding  of  the 
shoe  would  be  a serious  offence : and  the  poor  Princess 
was  obliged  again  to  work  like  any  servant ; but  she  man- 
aged to  conceal  one  of  her  shoes  beneath  the  bed  before 
she  was  taken  back  to  the  palace. 

The  following  morning  the  King  ordered  the  whole 
city  to  be  searched  for  his  daughter’s  shoe,  and  it  was  dis- 
covered in  the  room  of  the  Soldier,  who,  however,  at  the 


The  Blue  Light. 


121 


entreaty  of  the  Dwarf,  had  slipped  out  at  the  door.  He 
was  soon  caught  and  thrown  into  prison,  but,  unfortu- 
nately, he  had  left  behind  his  best  possessions — the  blue 
light  and  his  gold,  and  had  only  a single  ducat  with  him 
in  his  pocket.  While  he  stood  at  the  window  of  his  cell, 
laden  with  chains,  he  perceived  one  of  his  old  comrades 
passing  by.  So  he  knocked  at  the  bars,  and  beckoned  his 
comrade,  whom  he  asked  to  go  to  the  inn,  and  bring  back 
a bundle  which  he  had  left  behind,  and  he  should  receive 
a ducat  for  the  service.  The  man  ran  away  and  soon  re- 
turned with  the  wished-for  bundle.  As  soon,  then,  as  the 
Soldier  was  alone,  he  lighted  his  pipe  and  summoned  up 
the  Dwarf.  “Be  not  afraid,”  said  the  black  mannikin; 
“go  whither  you  are  led  and  let  everything  happen  as  it 
may,  only  take  with  you  the  blue  light.” 

The  next  day  the  Soldier  was  brought  up  to  be  tried, 
and  although  he  had  done  no  great  wrong,  he  was  con- 
demned to  death  by  the  judge.  When  he  was  led  out  for 
execution,  he  begged  a last  favour  of  the  King.  “What 
is  it?”  asked  the  King.  “Permit  me  to  smoke  one  pipe 
before  I die.”  “You  may  smoke  three  if  you  please,” 
said  the  King ; “ but  do  not  expect  me  to  spare  your  life.” 
Thereupon  the  Soldier  drew  out  his  pipe  and  lighted  it  at 
the  blue  light ; and  before  a couple  of  wreaths  of  smoke 
had  ascended  the  Black  Dwarf  appeared,  holding  a little 
cudgel  in  his  hand,  and  asked,  “ What  are  your  com- 
mands, master?”  “Knock  down,  first,  the  unjust  judge, 
and  his  constables,  and  do  not  spare  the  King  even,  who 
lias  treated  me  so  shabbily.”  The  little  Black  Dwarf  com- 
menced wielding  his  cudgel,  and  at  every  blow  down  went 
a man,  wTho  never  ventured  to  rise  again.  The  King  was 
terribly  frightened  when  he  saw  this,  and  begged  for  mercy, 
but  the  Soldier  only  pardoned  him  on  condition  of  his  giv- 
ing him  his  daughter  to  wife,  and  his  kingdom  to  rule  ; and 
to  this  the  unhappy  King  consented,  for  he  had  no  choice. 

VOL.  II.— 6 L 


CXI  II. 


The  Three  Army  Surgeons 


IIREE  Army  Surgeons  were  once  on  their  travels, 


confident  that  they 'had  learnt  their  profession  per- 
fectly ; and  one  day  they  arrived  at  an  inn  where  they 
wished  to  pass  the  night.  The  landlord  asked  them  whence 
they  came  and  whither  they  were  going ; and  one  of  them 
replied  that  they  were  travelling  about  in  search  of  employ- 
ment for  their  talents.  “ In  what  do  your  talents  con- 
sist?” inquired  the  landlord.  The  first  said  he  would  cutoff 
his  hand,  and  in  the  morning  put  it  on  again  without  diffi- 
culty ; the  second  said  he  would  take  out  his  eyes,  and  in  the 
morning  replace  them  without  injury ; and  the  third  declared 
he  would  take  out  his  own  heart  and  put  it  back  again. 

“Can  you  do  these  things?”  said  the  landlord:  “then 
indeed  you  are  well  taught.”  But  they  had  a salve  which 
healed  whatever  it  touched ; and  the  bottle  which  con- 
tained it  they  always  carried  carefully  with  them.  So  the 
one  cut  off  his  hand,  another  took  out  his  eyes,  and  the 
third  cut  out  his  heart  as  they  had  said,  and  gave  them  on 
a dish  to  the  landlord,  who  delivered  them  to  the  servant 
to  put  them  by  in  a cupboard  till  the  morning.  Xow  this 
servant  had  a sweetheart  on  the  sly,  who  was  a soldier ; 
and  he,  coming  in,  wanted  something  to  eat.  As  soon  as 
the  landlord  and  the  Three  Surgeons  had  gone  to  bed,  the 
maid  opened  the  cupboard  and  fetched  her  lover  some- 
thing; but  in  her  hurry  she  forgot  to  shut  the  door  again, 
and  sat  down  to  table  with  the  soldier,  and  the}-  made 
themselves  merry.  While  she  sat  thus,  apprehending  no 
misfortune,  the  cat  came  slipping  in,  and,  seeing  the  cup- 
board-door open,  snatched  the  hand,  heart  and  eyes  of  the 


The  Three  Army  Surgeons. 


123 


Three  Surgeons  and  ran  away  with  them.  As  soon  as  the 
soldier  had  finished,  the  maid  went  to  put  the  dish  away 
in  the  cupboard  and  then  perceived  that  the  plate  which 
her  master  had  given  into  her  care  was  gone.  She  was 
terribly  frightened  and  exclaimed,  “ Oh ! what  will  be- 
come of  me  ? the  hand  is  gone,  the  heart  is  gone,  and  the 
eyes  too;  how  shall  I manage  in  the  morning?”  “Be 
quiet,”  said  her  sweetheart,  “I  will  help  you  out  of  your 
difficulty ; on  the  gallows  outside  hangs  a thief,  whose 
hand  I can  cut  off;  which  was  it?”  “ The  right,”  said  she, 
and  gave  him  a sharp  knife,  with  which  he  went  and  cut 
off  the  right  hand  of  the  criminal,  and  brought  it  in.  Then 
he  caught  the  cat  and  took  out  her  eyes ; but  what  was  to 
be  done  for  the  heart?  “ Did  you  not  kill  a pig  to-day 
and  put  the  carcass  in  the  cellar  ?”  asked  the  soldier. 
“Yes,”  said  the  maid.  “Then  that  is  just  the  thing,”  re- 
turned the  soldier ; “ go  and  fetch  the  heart  from  it.”  The 
servant  did  so,  and  they  placed  all  three  on  the  plate  and 
put  them  in  the  cupboard,  and  then  her  sweetheart  having- 
taken  leave,  the  maid  went  to  bed. 

On  the  morrow  when  the  three  Army  Surgeons  were 
up,  they  bade  the  servant  fetch  the  plate,  on  which  lay  the 
hand,  heart,  and  eyes.  She  brought  it  from  the  cupboard, 
and  the  first  man  spread  the  hand  with  his  salve,  and  im- 
mediately it  joined  as  if  it  had  grown  there.  The  second 
took  up  the  cat’s  eyes  and  placed  them  in  his  head,  while 
the  third  put  the  pig’s  heart  where  his  own  came  from. 
The  landlord  meanwhile  stood  by,  wondering  at  their 
learning,  and  saying  he  would  never  have  believed  them 
had  he  not  seen  what  they  did.  Afterwards  they  paid 
their  bill  and  went  away. 

They  had  not  gone . far  before  he  with  the  pig’s  heart 
began  to  run  about  and  snuff  in  every  corner  after  the 
manner  of  swine.  The  others  tried  to  hold  him  by  the 
coat,  but  it  was  of  no  use,  he  would  run  about  among  the 


124  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

thickest  brush-wood.  The  second  Surgeon  all  this  while 
kept  rubbing  his  eyes  and  could  not  make  out  what  was 
amiss.  “What  have  I done?”  said  he  to  his  comrades; 
“ these  are  not  my  eyes,  I cannot  see ; you  must  lead  me, 
or  I shall  fall.”  So  they  travelled  till  evening  with  great 
trouble  to  themselves,  when  they  came  to  another  inn. 
They  stepped  into  the  parlour,  and  there  in  the  corner  sat 
a rich  man  at  a table,  counting  his  money.  The  Surgeon 
with  the  thief’s  hand  went  up  to  him  and  peered  at  him, 
and  as  soon  as  his  back  was  turned,  made  a grasp  at  the 
gold  and  took  a handful.  “ For  shame,  comrade,”  cried  the 
others ; “ you  must  not  steal ; what  are  you  doing  ?”  “ Oh, 
how  can  I help  myself?”  he  asked  ; “ my  hand  is  drawn  to 
it,  and  1 must  take  it  whether  I will  or  not !”  Soon  after 
this  they  went  to  bed,  and  it  was  so  dark  that  one  could 
not  see  his  hand  before  his  eyes.  All  at  once  the  Surgeon 
with  the  cat’s  eyes  woke  up,  and  disturbing  the  others, 
cried  out,  “ See,  see,  how  the  white  mice  are  running  about 
in  the  room  !”  The  two  others  thereupon  raised  their 
heads,  but  they  could  see  nothing.  “ It  is  evident  to  me 
now,”  said  the  first  Surgeon,  “ that  we  have  not  got  our 
own,  we  must  go  back  to  the  landlord  who  deceived  us.” 
The  following  morning  they  rode  back  to  the  first  inn, 
and  told  the  landlord  they  had  not  received  their  own 
things  again,  for  one  had  got  a thief’s  hand,  another  a pig’s 
heart,  and  a third  a cat’s  eyes.”  The  landlord  thereupon 
went  to  call  the  servant-maid,  but  she  had  escaped  out  of 
the  backdoor  as  soon  as  she  saw  the  Surgeons  coming,  and 
did  not  return.  The  three  now  threatened  to  set  fire  to  the 
house  if  the  landlord  did  not  give  them  a large  sum  of 
money ; and  the  poor  man  was  compelled  to  give  them  all 
he  could  scrape  together,  with  which  they  went  away.  But 
although  they  had  enough  to  last  them  their  lifetime,  each 
would  rather  have  had  his  own  hand,  heart,  or  eyes  than 
all  the  money  in  the  world. 

» , 


CXIV. 


The  Seven  Swabians 


HERE  were  once  Seven  Swabians  in  company,  the 


first  of  wbom  was  named  Schulz,  the  second  Jacky, 
the  third  Marli,  the  fourth  Jergli,  the  fifth  Michael,  the 
sixth  Hans,  and  the  seventh  Veitli;  and  they  all  were 
travelling  in  search  of  adventures,  and  for  the  perform- 
ance of  mighty  deeds.  In  order  that  they  might  not  be 
without  protection,  they  thought  fit  to  carry  along  with 
them  a very  long  and  strong  pole.  Upon  this  they  all 
seven  held,  and  in  front  the  boldest  and  most  courageous 
man,  who  was  Schulz,  walked,  while  the  others  followed 
behind,  and  Veitli  was  last. 

One  day  in  July,  after  they  had  travelled  some  distance, 
and  had  nearly  entered  the  village  where  they  intended  to 
pass  the  night,  it  happened  that  just  as  they  came  to  a 
large  meadow  a hornet  or  dragon-fly  flew  out  from  behind 
a bush  and  hummed  about  the  travellers  in  a warlike 
manner.  Schulz  was  frightened  and  almost  let  go  the 
pole,  and  the  perspiration  stood  all  over  his  body  from 
terror.  “Listen,  listen!”  he  cried  to  his  companions;  “I 
hear  a trumpeting!”  Jacky,  who  was  last  but  one  in  the 
row,  and  had  got  I know  not  what  into  his  nose,  exclaimed, 
“ Something  certainly  is  at  hand  for  I can  smell  brimstone 
and  powder  !”  At  these  words  Schulz  sprang  over  a hedge 
in  a trice  in  his  haste  to  escape,  and,  happening  to  alight 
on  the  prongs  of  a rake  which  was  left  in  the  field  by  the 
haymakers,  the  handle  sprang  up  and  gave  him  an  awk- 
ward blow  on  the  forehead.  “ Oh  ! oh  ! oh ! woe  is  me !” 
cried  Schulz ; “ take  me  prisoner,  I give  myself  up,  I sur- 
render !”  The  six  others  thereupon  jumped  over  the  hedge 


126 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


too,  and  cried  likewise,  “We  surrender  if  }tou  surrender  I 
we  surrender  if  you  surrender !” 

At  length,  when  they  found  no  enemy  came  to  bind 
and  take  them  away,  they  saw  they  were  deceived,,  and  in 
order  that  the  tale  might  not  be  told  of  them  among  the 
villagers,  and  they  get  laughed  at  and  mocked,  they  took 
an  oath  among  themselves  never  to  say  anything  about  it 
unless  any  one  of  them  should  open  his  mouth  unawares. 

After  this  adventure  they  went  further,  but  the  second 
danger  they  met  with  must  not  be  compared  with  the  first. 
For  after  several  days  had  elapsed  their  road  chanced  to 
lead  them  through  an  unploughed  field  where  a hare  was 
lying  asleep  in  the  sun,  with  his  ears  pricked  up  to  catch 
every  sound,  and  his  large,  glossy  eyes  wide  open.  The 
seven  Swabians  were  terribly  frightened  at  the  sight  of 
this  frightful,  ferocious  animal,  and  they  took  counsel 
together  what  would  be  the  least  dangerous  plan  to  adopt. 
For  if  they  fled  away  it  was  to  be  feared  that  the  monster 
would  pursue  them  and  cut  them  to  pieces.  So  they 
resolved  to  stand  and  have  a great  battle ; for,  said  they, 
“ Bravely  dared  is  half  won  !”  All  seven  therefore  grasped 
hold  of  their  spear,  Schulz  being  foremost  and  Yeitli  hind- 
most. But  Schulz  wanted  to  have  the  spear  himself, 
whereupon  Yeitli  flew  into  a passion  and  broke  away. 

Then  the  rest  advanced  together  upon  the  dragon,  but 
first  Schulz  crossed  himself  devoutly  and  invoked  the 
assistance  of  Heaven.  Then  he  marched  on,  but  as  he 
approached  the  enemy  he  felt  very  fearful  and  cried  in 
great  terror,  “Han!  hurlehau!  han!  hauhel!”  This  awoke 
the  hare,  who  sprang  away  quite  frightened,  and  when 
Schulz  saw  it  flee  he  jumped  for  joy  and  shouted, 

“ Zounds,  Yeitli,  what  fools  we  are ! 

The  moDster  after  all  is  but  a hare  1” 

After  they  had  recovered  their  fright  the  Seven  Swa- 
bians sought  new  adventures,  and  by-and-by  they  arrived  at 


The  Seven  Swabians. 


127 


the  River  Moselle,  a smooth  and  deep  water  over  which  there 
are  not  many  bridges,  but  one  must  cross  in  boats  to  the 
other  side.  The  Seven  Swabians,  however,  were  ignorant 
of  this,  and  they  therefore  shouted  to  a_man  who  was  work- 
ing on  the  other  side  of  the  river  and  asked  him  how  they 
were  to  cross.  But  the  man  did  not  understand  what'they 
said  on  account  of  the  distance  and  his  ignorance  of  their 
language,  and  so  he  asked  in  his  dialect  “Wat?  wat?” 
With  this  Schulz  imagined  the  man  said  “Wade,  wade 
through  the  stream  and,  being  foremost  on  the  bank,  he 
jumped  into  the  river  and  began  to  walk  across.  Soon  he 
got  out  of  his  depth  and  sank  in  the  deep  driving  current ; 
but  his  hat  was  carried  by  the  wind  to  the  opposite  shore. 
As  it  reached  there  a frog  perched  himself  on  it  and  croaked, 
“Wat!  wat!  wat!”  This  noise  the  six  other  Swabians, 
who  then  reached  the  bank,  heard,  and  they  said  to  each 
other,  “Listen  ! does  not  Schulz  call  us?  Well,  if  he  could 
wade  across  we  can  also.”  With  these  words  each  one 
jumped  into  the  river,  but  they  also  all  sank;  and  so  it 
happened  that  the  frog  caused  the  death  of  six  Swabians, 
for  nobody  has  heard  of  or  seen  them  ever  since. 


r 1 V V / k V I } 


cxv. 


The  Three  Journeymen 


nPHERE  were  once  three  Journeymen,  who  agreed  to- 
gether  to  travel  in  company,  and  always  work  in  the 
same  town.  But  one  season  they  could  find  no  master  to 
employ  them,  so  that  by  degrees  they  became  quite  ragged, 
and  had  nothing  to  live  upon.  They  asked  each  other 
what  they  should  do ; and  one  proposed  that  they  should 
not  stop  any  longer  where  the}7  were,  but  wander  about; 
and  when  they  came  to  a town  where  no  work  was  to  be 
had,  they  should  separate,  first  making  an  agreement  with 
the  landlord  of  their  inn,  that  he  would  receive  their  let- 
ters, so  that  each  might  know  where  his  companions  were. 
This  plan  appeared  the  best  they  could  adopt,  and  they  set 
out  on  their  travels.  On  the  road  a well-dressed  man  met 
them,  who  inquired  of  them  who  they  were.  “ We  are 
journeymen,”  said  they,  “in  search  of  work,  and  hitherto 
we  have  been  successful ; but  when  we  are  no  longer 
fortunate  we  mean  to  separate.” 

“ There  is  no  necessity  for  that,”  said  the  stranger ; 
“ if  you  only  do  what  I tell  you,  you  shall  not  want  for 
money  or  work ; for  you  may  even  become  great  lords, 
and  ride  in  your  own  carriages.” 

“ If  it  does  not  injure  our  souls  and  happiness,”  said 
one,  “ we  will  readily  do  what  you  wish.” 

“ ISTo ; I have  no  claim  upon  you,”  replied  the  man ; 
“ of  that  sort  at  least.” 

The  other  Journeyman,  meanwhile,  had  observed  the 
stranger’s  feet ; and  when  he  saw  one  was  a horse’s  hoof 
and  the  other  a human  foot,  he  would  have  nothing  ta  do 
with  the  agreement  at  first.  But  the  Evil  One  said  it  was 


The  Three  Journeymen. 


129 


not  their  souls,  but  some  other  man’s,  which  he  wanted; 
and  so,  being  reassured,  the  three  Journeymen  consented 
to  the  agreement.  The  Evil  One  then  told  them  that  what 
he  desired  was,  that  the  first  man  should  answer  to  every 
question,  “All  three  of  us;”  the  second,  “For  money;” 
and  the  third  should  cry,  “That  is  right.”  This  they  were 
to  say  on  all  occasions,  but  any  other  word  they  must  not 
speak,  on  pain  of  losing  all  their  money  again ; but  so  long 
as  they  obeyed  the  instructions,  their  pockets  would  always 
be  full  of  money.  For  a beginning  the  Evil  One  gave 
them  as  much  as  they  could  carry,  and  bade  them  go  into 
such  and  such  a city,  and  stop  at  such  and  such  an  inn. 
They  entered  the  appointed  place,  and  the  landlord  came 
towards  them  and  asked  if  they  wished  for  something  to 
eat.  The  first  man  replied,  “ All  three  of  us.”  “ Yes,”  said 
the  landlord,  “that  is  what  I mean.”  “For  money,”  said 
the  second  man.  “ That  is  understood.”  “ That  is  right,” 
said  the  third.  “Yes,  that  is  right,”  repeated  the  landlord. 

Soon  a plentiful  meal  was  spread  before  them,  and  they 
were  well  waited  on ; and  as  soon  as  they  had  finished  the 
landlord  brought  in  his  bill,  and  laid  it  before  the  three 
companions.  “All  three  of  us,”  said  the  first;  “For 
money,”  said  the  second ; and  the  third  repeated  “ That 
is  right.”  “You  are  quite  right,  sirs,”  said  the  landlord, 
“ all  three  of  you  must  pay : and  without  the  money  I 
cannot  entertain  you.”  Thereupon  they  counted  out  more 
money  than  was  asked,  and  the  guests  who  were  looking 
on  said  ter  each  other,  “ These  people  must  be  mad !”  “ Yes ; 
they  do  not  appear  quite  sane,”  said  the  landlord : but  still 
they  remained  in  his  house,  speaking  no  other  words  than 
“ All  three  of  us ; For  money ; That  is  right.”  Neverthe- 
less they  saw  and  knew  all*  that  was  going  on : and  one 
day  it  chanced  that  a great  merchant  came,  bringing  with 
him  a great  deal  of  money  to  the  inn.  He  said  to  the 
landlord,  “ Take  care  of  my  gold,  or  these  three  foolish 

VOL.  II. — 6* 


130 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Journeymen  may  steal  it  from  me.”  The  landlord  did  so, 
and  as  he  carried  the  saddle-bags  into  his  room  he  felt  that 
they  were  heavy  with  gold.  So  he  put  the  three  Journey- 
men into  a lower  room,  and  the  merchant  into  the  best 
room  by  himself.  At  midnight  when  the  landlord  thought 
everybody  was  asleep,  he  went,  accompanied  by  his  wife,  in- 
to the  rich  merchant’s  chamber,  and  killed  him  by  a stroke 
with  an  axe.  The  murder  committed,  they  went  to  bed 
again ; and  when  daylight  came  they  made  a great  uproar, 
for  the  merchant  was  found  dead,  lying  in  pools  of  blood. 
All  the  inmates  of  the  inn  were  collected,  and  the  land- 
lord declared  the  murder  had  been  committed  by  tbe  three 
Journeymen.  This  the  other  lodgers  confirmed,  saying  no 
one  else  could  have  done  it;  and  when  the  three  Journey- 
men were  called,  and  asked  if  they  had  done  the  deed,  the 
first  replied,  “All  three  of  us;”  the  second,  “For  money;” 
and  the  third  said,  “That  is  right!” 

“Now  hear  them,”  said  the  landlord,  “they  confess  it 
themselves.”  Thereupon  the  three  were  taken  and  thrown 
into  prison  ; and  while  they  lay  there  they  perceived  that 
it  was  a serious  matter  for  them.  But  by  night  the  Evil 
One  came,  and  said  to  them,  “ Keep  up  your  courage  for 
one  day,  and  despair  not  of  your  fortune,  for  not  a hair  of 
you  shall  be  injured.” 

The  following  morning  they  were  taken  before  the 
judge,  and  asked  by  him,  “ Are  you  tbe  murderers  ?” 
“All  three  of  us,”  replied  the  first.  “Why  did  you  kill 
the  merchant?”  asked  the  judge,  secondly.  “For.money,” 
was  the  reply.  “ You  wretched  men,”  exclaimed  the  j udge, 
“ have  you  repented  of  your  crime  since.”  “ That  is  right,” 
said  the  third  Journeyman.  Then  the  judge  ordered  them 
to  be  led  away  to  die,  for  the}*  had  confessed  their  crime, 
and  were  hardened  about  it. 

So  the  three  companions  were  led  away,  and  the  land- 
lord had  to  accompany  them,  being  the  accusor.  Just  as 


The  Three  Journeymen. 


131 


they  were  seized  by  the  hangman  and  led  up  to  the  scaffold, 
where  the  executioner  stood  with  a sharp  sword,  all  at  once 
a coach  appeared  drawn  by  four  blood-red  foxes,  who  went 
so  fast  that  fire  flew  out  of  the  stones,  while  from  the  win- 
dow of  the  coach  some  one  beckoned  with  a white  hand- 
kerchief. The  executioner  said,  “ There  comes  a pardon  !” 
and  from  the  coach  a voice  w-as  heard  shouting,  “ Pardon, 
pardon !”  Presently,  out  of  the  coach,  the  Evil  One 
stepped,  dressed  as  a distinguished  lord,  and  said  to  the 
three  prisoners,  “You  are  innocent,  you  may  speak  now 
and  state  what  you  saw  and  heard.”  Thereupon,  the  first 
Journeyman  said,  “We  did  not  kill  the  merchant,  the 
murderer  stands  there,”  (pointing  to  the  landlord,)  “ and 
for  a proof  of  this  go  into  his  cellar,  and  you  will  find 
many  other  bodies  of  those  he  has  destroyed.” 

The  judge,  therefore,  sent  his  guards,  and  they  found 
the  cellar  as  the  man  described  ; and  the  landlord  was  con- 
sequently taken,  and  his  head  was  struck  off.  The  Evil 
One  then  said  to  the  three  Journeymen,  “ You  are  free,  and 
will  have  money  all  your  life,  for  I have  got  that  which  I 
bargained  for.” 


CXVI. 


Ferdinand  the  Faithful,  and 

Ferdinand  tlie  Unfaithful. 


1ST  CE  upon  a time  there  lived  a certain  Man  and  his 


Wife  who  as  long  as  they  were  in  prosperous  circum- 
stances were  blessed  with  no  children,  but  as  soon  as  poverty 
came  upon  them  a little  boy  was  born  to  them.  They  were 
now  so  poor  that  they  could  get  no  one  to  stand  godfather 
to  their  child,  and  the  Man  determined  he  would  go  to  an- 
other town  and  seek  one.  On  his  way  he  met  a poor  man, 
who  inquired  whither  he  was  going,  and  he  told  him  he  was 
in  search  of  some  one  to  be  sponsor  to  his  son.  “ Oh !”  said 
the  poor  man,  “you  are  in  distress,  and  I also!  I will  be 
godfather  to  your  child,  although  I am  too  poor  to  give 
him  any  gift ; go  tell  your  wife  and  let  her  come  to  the 
church  with  the  child.”  As  soon  as  they  got  there  the 
beggar  said  the  name  of  the  boy  should  be  Ferdinand  the 
Faithful ; and  so  he  was  baptized. 

When  they  came  away  from  the  church  the  beggar  said 
to  the  Mother,  “ I cannot  go  with  you  because  I have  no- 
thing to  give  you,  nor  you  to  me;  but  take  this  key  and 
let  your  husband  take  care  of  it  till  your  boy  is  fourteen 
years  old ; and  at  that  age  he  must  go  up  the  hill,  and  he 
will  there  come  to  a castle  to  which  this  key  belongs  and 
whatever  is  in  the  castle  it  shall  be  his.” 

When  the  boy  reached  the  age  of  seven,  he  was  once 
playing  with  other  children,  and  they  teased  him  and  said 
he  had  received  no  present  from  his  godfather  as  they  had 
all  done.  Thereupon  the  boy  went  to  his  father  and  asked 
him  whether  what  they  said  tvas  true.  “ Oh  ! no,”  replied 
the  father,  “ your  godfather  left  a key  for  you  which  un- 


The  Two  Ferdinands. 


133 


locks  a castle  which  you  will  find  up  the  hill.”  The  boy 
went  up,  but  no  castle  was  to  be  seen  or  heard  of;  but  by- 
and-by,  when  another  seven  years  had  passed,  he  went  up 
again,  and  there  saw  the  castle.  As  soon  as  he  unlocked 
it  he  found  a horse  in  a stable,  and  this  so  pleased  him 
that  he  mounted  it  and  rode  back  to  his  father,  saying, 
“Now,  I have  got  a steed,  I will  travel.” 

So  he  went  off,  and  on  the  roadside  he  found  a shep- 
herd whom  he  thought  at  first  of  taking  with  him,  but  he 
resolved  not  to  do  so,  and  rode  on.  But  as  he  passed,  the 
man  called,  “Ferdinand  the  Faithful,  take  me  with  you.” 
So  he  went  back  and  took  him  up  behind  him.  After 
they  had  ridden  a little  way  they  came  to  a lake  on  the 
shore  of  which  a fish  was  lying  gasping  in  agony.  “ Ah  ! 
my  good  fish,”  cried  Ferdinand,  “I  must  help  you  back 
into  the  water;”  and,  taking  it  up,  he  threw  it  in,  and  the 
Fish  called  out  as  it  fell  into  the  water,  “Now  since  you 
have  assisted  me  when  I was  in  trouble  I will  also  help 
you  ; take  this  reed  pipe,  and  when  you  are  in  need  blow 
thereon,  and  I will  come ; and  if  you  chance  to  fall  into 
the  water  I will  help  you  out.”  After  this  Ferdinand  rode 
on,  and  by-and-by  he  ' asked  his  companion  whither  he 
would  go.  “ To  the  nearest  place ; but  what  is  your 
name  ?”  “Ferdinand  the  Faithful.”  “ Indeed,”  replied  the 
other;  “then  your  name  is  like  mine,  for  I am  called 
Ferdinand  the  Unfaithful.”  So  they  rode  on  to  the  nearest 
place  and  stopped  at  the  first  inn. 

Now,  it  was  unfortunate  that  Ferdinand  the  Unfaithful 
came  there,  for  he  knew  all  manner  of‘  evil  tricks.  There 
was  at  this  inn  a maiden  fair-faced  and  clear-eved  who 
took  a liking  to  Ferdinand  the  Faithful  as  soon  as  he  came, 
because  he  was  handsome  and  cheerful,  and  she  asked  him 
where  he  was  going.  When  he  had  told  her  he  was  travel- 
ling about,  she  advised  him  to  stop  where  he  was,  for  the 
King  needed -good  servants  and  couriers,  and  he  was  just 


134 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  sort  of  man  for  him.  At  first  he  refused  to  hear  about 
the  matter,  and  said  he  must  go  on ; so  the  maiden  went 
herself  to  the  King  and  said  she  knew  of  a good  servant. 
The  King  bade  her  bring  him  before  him  ; and  as  he  had 
a horse  which  he  said  he  could  not  part  with  on  any  account 
the  King  made  him  his  courier.  As  soon  then  as  Ferdinand 
the  Unfaithful  heard  of  this,  he  asked  the  maiden  if  she 
could  not  assist  him  also ; and,  willing  to  oblige  both,  she 
went  to  the  King  and  got  him  a place  in  the  royal  house- 
hold also. 

A morning  or  two  after  their  arrival  the  King  awoke 
groaning  and  lamenting  that  his  dear  bride  was  not  with 
him.  As  soon  as  Ferdinand  the  Unfaithful  heard  this,  he 
went  to  the  King  (because  all  along  he  had  a spite  against 
Ferdinand  the  Faithful)  and  advised  him  to  send  a messen- 
ger after  her.  “You  have  a courier,”  he  said;  “ why  not 
send  him  off  to  fetch  her  back?  and  if  he  does  not  bring 
her  let  his  head  pay  the  forfeit !”  Thereupon  the  King 
summoned  Ferdinand  the  Faithful  and  ordered  him  on 
pain  of  death  to  bring  back  his  beloved  bride  from  the 
place  where  she  was. 

Ferdinand  went  into  the  stable*to  his  favourite  horse, 
and  began  to  groan  and  weep,  “ Oh ! what  an  unlucky 
man  am  I !”  The  Horse  thereupon  began  to  speak,  and 
asked  him  what  was  the  matter?  Ferdinand  was  astonished 
to  hear  the  horse  speak,  and  exclaimed,  “ What,  Schum- 
mel,  can  you  talk  ? Know,  then,  that  I have  to  fetch  the 
King’s  bride  and  know  not  where  to  go.”  Schummel  re- 
plied, “Go  you  to  the  King,  and  tell  him  that,  if  he  will 
give  you  what  you  ask,  you  will  fetch  his  bride ; but  it 
must  be  a shipful  of  meat  and  another  full  of  bread,  for 
there  are  giants  across  the  lake  where  you  must  go,  who 
would  eat  you  if  you  brought  no  meat,  and  there  are  birds 
also  who  would  peck  out  your  eyes  if  you  took  no  bread.” 

Ferdinand  went  and  told  the  King,  who  caused  all  the 


The  Two  Ferdinands. 


135 


butchers  to  kill  and  dress  meat,  and  all  the  bakers  to  make 
loaves,  with  which  two  ships  were  filled.  As  soon  as  these 
were  ready,  Schummel  said  to  Ferdinand,  “Now  take  me 
with  you  in  the  ship,  and  set  sail,  and  when  we  come  to 
the  Giants,  say  to  them, 

“ 1 Peace  be  with  you,  Giants,  dear, 

For  I have  brought  you,  never  fear, 

A good  supply  of  fleshly  cheer !’ 

“ And  when  the  Birds  come,  say, 

“ ‘ Peace  be  with  you,  Ravens,  dear, 

For  I have  brought  you,  never  fear, 

A good  supply  of  baker’s  cheer  !’ 

“ With  these  words  they  will  be  satisfied  and  leave 
you,  and  when  you  come  to  the  castle,  the  Giants  will  help 
you ; and  two  of  them  will  go  with  you  to  where  the 
Princess  sleeps,  whom  the  King  wants.  You  must  not 
awaken  her,  but  the  Giants  must  take  her  up  in  her  bed, 
and  carry  her  to  the  ship.” 

All  this  happened  precisely  as  the  Horse  said,  and 
Ferdinand  the  Faithful  gave  the  Giants  and  the  Birds  what 
he  had  brought  with  him,  and  thereupon  the  Giants  were 
satisfied,  and  brought  the  Princess  to  the  King.  As  soon 
as  she  came,  she  said  she  must  have  her  letters,  which  were 
left  behind  at  the  castle,  and  the  King  ordered  Ferdinand 
the  Faithful  to  fetch  them,  on  pain  of  death. 

Ferdinand  went  again  into  the  stable,  and  told  his 
horse  what  duty  he  had  to  perform,  and  Schummel  advised 
him  to  load  the  ships  as  before  and  sail  to  the  castle.  This 
he  did,  and  the  Giants  and  Birds  were  satisfied  a second 
time ; and  when  they  arrived  at  the  castle,  Schummel  told 
Ferdinand  where  the  sleeping  chamber  of  the  Princess 
was,  and  he  went  up  and  fetched  the  packet  of  letters. 
On  their  way  back  Ferdinand  unluckily  dropped  the  letters 
into  the  water,  and  Schummel  said,  “ Alas ! alas  1 I cannot 


136 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


help  you  now!”  Then  Ferdinand  bethought  himself  of 
his  reed  pipe,  and  began  to  blow  it,  and  presently  the  fish 
which  he  had  formerly  saved  made  its  appearance,  carry- 
ing in  its  mouth  the  letters,  which  it  delivered  to  its  pre- 
server. After  this  they  brought  home  the  letters  safely  to 
the  palace  where  the  wedding  was  about  to  be  held. 

Now,  the  Queen  did  not  love  the  King  much,  because 
he  had  a small  nose,  but  she  took  a great  fancy  to  Fer- 
dinand the  Faithful.  And  once,  when  all  the  court  was 
assembled,  the  Queen  said  she  knew  some  curious  arts. 
She  could  cut  off  a person’-s  head  and  put  it  on  again, 
without  doing  him  any  harm.  When  Ferdinand  the  Un- 
faithful heard  this,  he  suggested  that  she  should  make  the 
experiment  on  Ferdinand  the  Faithful.  And  so,  after 
a while,  she  did ; and  after  cutting  off  his  head,  put  it  on 
again,  and  it  healed  up,  so  that  only  a red  mark  was  vis- 
ible round  the  neck.  “ Where  did  you  learn  to  do  that, 
my  child  ?”  asked  the  King.  “ Oh,  I understand  it  well 
enough,”  she  replied ; “ shall  I experiment  on  you  ?”  The 
King  consented,  but  when  she  had  cut  off  his  head  she 
would  not  put  it  on  again  ; and  after  the  lapse  of  some 
time  she  married  Ferdinand  the  Faithful. 

Now  he  rode  again  upon  his  horse  Schummel ; and  one 
day  it  told  him  to  ride  thrice  up  the  hill ; and,  as  soon  as 
he  had  done  so,  the  horse  returned  to  its  original  form,  and 
became  a handsome  Prince. 


CXVII. 


The  Shoes  which  were  danced  to 

pieces. 


fT^HERE  was  once  upon  a time  a King,  who  had  twelve 
-L  daughters,  every  one  of  whom  was  prettier  than  her 
sisters.  They  slept  together  in  one  room,  where  their  beds 
all  stood  in  a row,  and  in  the  evening,  as  soon  as  they 
were  gone  to  sleep,  the  King  shut  the  door  and  bolted  it. 
One  morning,  when  he  opened  the  door  as  usual,  he  per- 
ceived that  their  shoes  were  danced  to  pieces,  and  nobody 
could  tell  how  it  happened.  The  King,  therefore,  caused 
it  to  be  proclaimed  that  whoever  could  discover  where 
they  had  danced  in  the  night  should  receive  one  of  them 
to  wife,  and  become  King  at  his  death  ; but  whoever  should 
attempt  to  do  it,  and  after  three  nights  and  days  fail,  must 
lose  his  life.  In  a short  time  a Prince  came  and  offered 
himself  to  undertake  the  task.  He  was  well  received,  and 
at  night  led  to  a room  which  adjoined  the  bed-chamber  of 
the  Princesses.  There  he. was  to  watch  whither  they  went 
to  dance ; and,  in  order  that  they  might  not  slip  out  secretly 
to  another  place,  their  room-door  was  left  open  for  him  to 
see.  But  the  Prince  soon  felt  a mist  steal  over  lffs  eves, 
and  he  went  to  sleep ; and  when  he  awoke  in  the  morning 
he  found  the  Princesses  had  all  been  dancing  as  usual,  for 
their  shoes  stood  there  with  holes  in  the  soles.  The  second 
and  third  night  it  happened  just  the  same  ; and  on  the- 
morrow  the  Prince  lost  his  head  without  mercy.  After- 
wards came  many  more  and  attempted  the  task,  but  they 
all  lost  their  lives. 

One  day  it  chanced  that  a poor  Soldier,  who  had  a 
wound  which  prevented  him  from  serving,  came  upon  the 


138 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


road  which  led  to  the  city  where  the  King  dwelt.  There 
he  met  an  old  woman,  who  asked  him  whither  he  was 
going.  “I  do  not  know  myself  altogether,”  he  replied; 
“ but  I had  an  idea  of  going  to  the  place  where  the  Prin- 
cesses dance  their  shoes  to  pieces,  to  find  out  the  mystery 
and  so  become  King.”  “That  is  not  difficult,”  said  the 
old  woman,  “ if  you  do  not  drink  the  wine  which  will  be 
brought  to  you  in  the  evening,  but  feign  to  be  asleep.” 
With  these  words  she  gave  him  a cloak,  and  told  him  that 
if  he  put  it  on  his  shoulders  he  would  become  invisible  and 
be  able  to  follow  the  Princesses.  As  soon  as  the  soldier 
had  received  this  good  advice  he  plucked  up  courage  and 
presented  himself  before  the  King  as  a suitor.  He  was  as 
well  received  as  the  others  had  been,  and  was  dressed  in 
princely  clothes.  When  evening  came  he  was  led  to  his 
sleeping-room,  and,  as  he  was  about  to  go  to  bed,  the  eldest 
Princess  came  and  brought  him  a cup  of  wine,  but  he  had 
fastened  a bag  under  his  throat  into  which  he  poured  the 
wine,  and  drank  none. 

Then  he  laid  himself  down  and  in  a short  time  began 
to  snore  as  if  he  were  in  a deep  sleep,  while  the  twelve 
sisters  laughed  to  one  another,  saying,  “ He  might  have 
spared  himself  the  trouble  !”  In  a few  minutes  they  arose, 
opened  cupboards,  closets,  and  drawers,  and  pulled  out  a 
variety  of  beautiful  clothes.  As  soon  as  they  were  dressed 
they  looked  at  themselves  in  the  glass,  and  presently  began 
to  dance  ; but  the  youngest  sister  said,  “I  know  not  how 
you  are  enjoying  yourselves,  but  my  heart  sickens  as  if 
some  misfortune  were  about  to  fall  upon  us !”  “ What  a 

goose  you  are!”  cried  the  eldest  sister,  “you  are  always 
fearing  something  ; have  you  forgotten  how  many  kings’ 
sons  have  already  lost  their  lives  ? why,  if  I had  not  given 
this  soldier  his  sleeping  draught,  the  simpleton  could  not 
even  then  have  kept  his  eyes  open  !”  As  they  were  now 
quite  ready,  they  first  looked  at  the  soldier  and  satisfied 


The  Shoes  which  were  danced  to  pieces.  139 


themselves  all  was  right,  for  he  kept  his  eyes  shut  and  did 
not  move  a bit ; and  then  the  eldest  sister  knocking  on  her 
bed  it  sank  down  in  the  ground,  and  the  twelve  Princesses 
followed  it  through  the  opening,  the  eldest  one  going  first. 
The  Soldier,  having  observed  everything  all  the  while,  put 
on  his  invisible  cloak,  and  descended  with  the  youngest 
sister.  About  the  middle  of  the  steps  down  he  trod  on  her 
cloak,  and  she  exclaimed,  much  frightened,  “ Who  is  that 
who  holds  my  cloak  ?”  “ Don’t  be  so  silly,”  said  the  eldest 
sister,  “ you  caught  it  on  some  nail  or  other,  that  is  all.” 
So  they  went  completely  down,  and  at  the  bottom  was  a 
wonderful  avenue  of  trees,  whose  leaves  were  all  silver, 
and  shone  and  glittered.  The  Soldier  thought  to  himself 
he  would  take  one  branch  for  a token,  and  broke  it  off, 
when  a tremendous  crack  sounded  as  from  the  tree.  “ It 
is  not  all  right !”  cried  the  youngest ; “ did  you  not  hear 
the  crack  ?”  “ That  is  a shot  of  welcome  !”  said  the  eldest, 
“ because  we  have  been  so  lucky.”  Then  they  passed  into 
another  avenue  where  the  leaves  were  of  gold,  and  then 
into  a further  one  where  they  shone  like  diamonds.  From 
both  he  broke  off  a twig,  and  each  time  the  youngest  Prin- 
cess shrieked  with  terror,  while  the  eldest  ones  declared 
they  were  merely  guns  of  welcome.  So  they  went  further 
and  came  to  a lake,  on  which  were  twelve  little  boats,  and 
in  each  boat  a handsome  Prince,  who  each  took  one  sister, 
and  the  old  Soldier  sat  down  in  the  boat  where  the  young- 
est one  was.  “ I know  not  how  it  is,”  said  the  Prince, 
“ but  the  boat  seems  much  heavier  than  usual,  and  I am 
obliged  to  use  all  my  strength  to  row  it  along.”  “ Perhaps 
that  proceeds  from  the  warmth  of  the  weather,”  said  the 
Princess,  “ I am,  myself,  much  more  heated  than  usual.” 
On  the  other  side  of  this  water  stood  a noble  castle,  which 
was  well  lighted,  and  one  could  hear  the  music  of  horns 
and  fiddles  within.  Towards  this  they  rowed,  went  in,  and 
each  Prince  danced  with  his  own  partner,  while  the  Soldier 


140  Grimm’s  "Household  Stories. 

danced  among  them  all  invisible ; and  whenever  a glass  of 
wine  was  handed  to  one  or  the  other  he  drank  it  out,  so 
that  it  was  empty  when  held  to  the  lips  ; and  the  youngest 
sister  again  felt  very  uneasy,  but  her  sister  bade  her  hold 
her  tongue.  Here  they  danced  till  three  in  the  morning, 
at  which  hour,  because  their  shoes  were  in  holes,  they  were 
compelled  to  desist.  The  Princes  rowed  them  back  again 
over  the  water,  but  this  time  the  Soldier  sat  down  with  the 
eldest  Princess.  On  the  shore  they  took  leave  of  the  Princes 
and  promised  to  return  the  following  morning.  When 
they  came  back  to  the  steps,  the  Soldier  ran  up  first,  and 
laid  down  again  in  his  bed ; and  when  the  twelve  sisters 
came  up,  weary  and  sleepy,  he  snored  so  loudly  that  they 
all  listened,  and  cried,  “ How  much  safer  could  we  be  ?” 
Then  they  took  off  their  fine  clothes,  and  locked  them  up, 
and,  putting  their  dancing  shoes  under  the  bed,  they  laid 
down  to  sleep.  The  next  morning  the  Soldier  said  noth- 
ing, wishing  to  see  more  of  this  wonderful  affair,  and 
so  the  second  and  third  nights  passed  like  the  first ; the 
Princesses  danced  each  time  till  their  shoes  were  in  holes, 
and  the  Soldier,  for  an  additional  token  of  his  story, 
brought  away  a cup  with  him  from  the  ball-room.  When 
the  time  arrived  for  him  to  answer,  he  first  concealed  the 
twigs  and  cup  about  him,  and  then  went  before  the  King, 
while  the  twelve  Princesses  stood  behind  the  door,  and 
listened  to  all  that  was  said.  “Where  have  my  daughters 
danced  during  the  night?”  asked  the  King.  “ With  twelve 
Princes,  in  a subterranean  castle,”  he  replied;  and,  relating 
everything  as  it  had  occurred,  he  produced  his  witnesses 
in  the  three  twigs  and  the  cup.  The  King  then  summoned 
his  daughters,  and  asked  them  if  the  Soldier  had  spoken 
the  truth.  They  were  obliged  to  confess  he  had  ; and  the 
King  asked  him  which  he  would  have  for  a wife.  “ I am 
no  longer  young,”  he  replied,  “ and  so  it  had  better  be  the 
eldest.”  Thereupon  the  wedding  wras  celebrated  the  self- 


The  Shoes  which  were  danced  to  pieces.  141 

same  day,  and  the  kingdom  appointed  to  him  at  the  old 
King’s  death.  But  the  Princes  were  again  bewitched  in  as 
many  daj^s  as  they  had  danced  nights  with  the  twelve 
Princesses. 


t 


CXVIII. 


The  Three  Brothers. 


‘HERE  was  once  a Man  whose  family  consisted  of  three 


sons,  and  his  property  only  of  the  house  in  which  he 
dwelt.  How,  each  of  them  wished  to  have  the  house  at  the 
death  of  the  old  Man  ; but  they  were  all  so  dear  to  him  that 
he  knew  not  what  to  do  for  fear  of  offending  the  one  or  the 
other.  lie  would  have  sold  the  house  and  shared  the 
money,  but  it  had  been  so  long  in  his  family  he  did  not 
like  to  do  that.  All  at  once  he  thought  of  a plan,  and 
said  to  his  sons,  “ Go  into  thfe  world,  and  each  of  37ou  learn 
a trade,  and  he  who  makes  the  best  masterpiece  shall  have 
my  house.” 

With  this  plan  the  sons  were  contented,  and  the  eldest 
became  a Farrier  ; the  second  a Barber ; and  the  third  a 
Fencing-master.  They  appointed  a time  when  they  should 
all  return,  and  went  away  ; and  it  so  chanced  that  each 
happened  with  a clever  master,  with  whom  he  could  learn 
his  trade  in  the  best  manner.  The  Smith  had  to  shoe  the 
King’s  horses,  and  thought  he  must  undoubtedly  receive 
the  house.  The  Barber  shaved  many  distinguished  lords, 
and  made  sure  of  getting  the  house  on  that  account.  The 
Fencing-master  got  many  a blow,  but  he  bit  his  lip  and 
showed  no  concern  ; for  he  feared  if  he  flinched  at  any 
stroke  the  house  would  never  become  his.  By-and-bv  the 
time  came  round  when  they  returned  home  to  their  father; 
but  they  none  of  them  knew  how  they  should  find  occasion 
to  show  their  proficiency,  and  so  they  all  consulted  together. 
While  they  sat  in  consultation  a hare  came  running  across 
the  field  where  they  were.  “ Ah  ! he  comes  as  if  he  were 
called  !”  cried  the  Barber  ; and,  taking  his  soap  and  basin, 


The  Three  Brothers. 


148 


be  made  a lather ; and  as  soon  as  the  hare  came  up  he 
seized  him,  and  shaved  off  his  moustachios  as  he  ran  along, 
without  cutting  him  in  the  least,  or  taking  off  any  un- 
necessary hairs.  “ That  pleases  me  very  well !”  said  the 
Father ; “ and  if  the  others  do  not  do  better  the  house  is 
yours.”  In  a very  short  time  a carriage,  with  a traveller 
in  it,  came  rolling  by  at  full  speed.  “ Now  you  shall  see, 
father,  what  I can  do  !”  cried  the  Farrier  ; and,  seizing  the 
horse’s  feet  as  he  galloped  along,  he  pulled  off  the  shoes, 
and  shod  him  again  without  stopping  him.  “ You  are  a 
clever  fellow!”  cried  the  Father;  “you  have  done  your 
work  quite  as  well  as  your  brother,  and  I shall  not  know 
to  whom  to  give  the  house.”  “Let  me  show  you  some- 
thing !”  said  the  third  brother  ; and,  as  it  just  then  luckily 
began  to  rain,  he  drew  his  sword  and  waved  it  so  quickly 
above  his  head  that  not  a drop  fell  upon  him  ; and  when 
the  rain  came  faster,  and  at  length  so  fast  that  it  was  as  if 
one  were  emptying  pails  out  of  heaven,  he  swung  the 
sword  quicker  and  quicker  in  circles  above  his  head  so  that 
he  kept  himself  as  dry  as  if  he  had  been  under  a roof. 
As  soon  as  the  Father  saw  this  he  was  astonished,  and 
said  to  his  son,  “ You  have  performed  the  best  masterpiece, 
the  house  is  yours.” 

The  two  other  brothers  were  contented  with  this  deci- 
sion ; and,  because  they  all  loved  one  another,  they  all 
three  remained  in  the  house  driving  their  several  trades ; 
and  as  they  were  so  clever,  and  were  so  advanced  in  their 
arts,  they  earned  much  money.  Thus  they  lived  happily 
together  till  their  old  age,  and  when  one  fell  sick  and  died 
his  brothers  grieved  so  for  his  loss  that  they  fell  sick  also 
and  died. 

Then,  because  they  all  three  had  been  so  clever  in  their 
several  trades,  and  had  loved  one  another  so  much,  they 
were  laid  together  in  the  same  grave. 


CXIX. 


- The  Bright  Sun  brings  on  the  Day. 


TAILOR’S  journeyman  was  tramping  about  the 


country  in  search  of  work,  but  none  could  he  find ; 
and  his  poverty  became  so  great  that  he  had  not  a farthing 
to  spend.  Just  at  that  time  he  met  a Jew  on  the  road,  and, 
deaf  to  the  voice  of  conscience,  he  went  up  to  him,  because 
he  thought  he  had  money,  and  seizing  him  cried  out, 
“ Give  me  your  money,  or  I will  take  your  life  !”  “ Spare 
my  life  !”  entreated  the  Jew,  “for  I have  no  more  money 
than  eight  farthings.”  But  the  Tailor  said,  “ You  have 
money,  and  I will  have  it  out and  he  beat  the  poor 
Jew  till  he  was  almost  dead.  But  before  he  expired  the 
Jew  cried,  “ The  bright  sun  brings  on  the  day  and  died 
immediately.  The  Tailor,  thereupon,  searched  the  pockets 
of  his  victim,  and  found  nothing  but  the  eight  farthings 
which  the  Jew  had  mentioned.  So  he  took  up  the  body 
and  threw  it  away  among  the  bushes,  and  then  went  fur- 
ther in  search  of  work.  After  he  had  travelled  a long 
distance,  he  came  to  a city,  where  he  was  engaged  by  a 
Master  Tailor,  who  had  a pretty  daughter,  whom  he  mar- 
ried and  lived  with  in  great  happiness.  When  some  years 
had  passed,  and  the  journeyman  and  his  wife  had  two 
children,  the  old  father  and  mother  died,  and  the  young 
people  had  to  keep  house  for  themselves.  One  morning, 
as  the  husband  was  sitting  at  the  table  by  the  window,  his 
wife  brought  him  his  coffee  ; and,  just  as  he  had  poured  it 
into  the  saucer  to  drink,  the  bright  sun  shone  in  on  it  at 
the  open  window,  and  danced  on  the  opposite  wall  in  circles. 
Thereupon  the  Tailor  jumped  up  and  cried,  “It  would 
bring  on  the  day,  but  it  cannot !”  “ Dear  husband,  what 


The  Bright  Sun  brings  on  the  Day.  145 


do  you  mean,  what  is  it  ?”  asked  his  wife.  “ That  I dare 
not  tell  you,”  he  replied.  His  wife,  however,  teased  him, 
and  spoke  so  very  affectionately  to  him,  saying  she  would 
tell  nothing  about  it,  till  at  last  he  told  her  that,  many 
years  ago,  when  he  was  travelling  about  for  work,  and  had 
no  money,  he  had  killed  a Jew,  whose  last  words  had  been, 
“ The  bright  sun  brings  on  the  day.”  That  morning  the 
sun  had  danced  on  the  wall,  but  without  continuing  there, 
and  that  had  reminded  him  of  the  Jew’s  words,  but  he 
begged  his  wife  to  say  nothing  of  the  matter  to  any  one. 
As  soon,  however,  as  he  had  sat  down  to  work,  his  wife 
went  to  her  cousin  and  betrayed  the  secret  to  her,  making 
her  promise  to  tell  nobody.  In  three  days’  time,  however, 
the  cousin  told  some  one  else,  and  so  it  went  on  till  the 
whole  town  knew  it ; and  the  Tailor  was  taken  before  the 
judge  and -condemned.  Thus,  the  bright  sun  brought  on 
the  day. 


VOL.  ii. — 7 


N 


cxx. 


The  Prince  who  was  afraid  of 

Nothing. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a King’s  Son,  who  felt  too 
much  dissatisfied  to  stay  at  home  any  longer,  and,  as 
lie  feared  nobody,  he  thought  he  would  travel  about  the 
world,  where  there  was  plenty  of  time  and  space  for  him 
to  meet  with  wonderful  things.  So  he  took  leave  of  his 
parents  and  set  out,  walking  straight  onwards  by  day  and 
night ; for  it  was  all  one  to  him  whither  the  road  might 
lead.  Presently  it  chanced  that  he  came  to  a Giant’s  house, 
and,  being  weary,  he  sat  down  before  the  door  to  rest.  He 
soon  began  to  look  about  him,  and  saw  in  the  courtyard 
bowls  and  ninepins  as  big  as  men,  which  formed  the  play- 
things of  the  Giant.  In  a little  while  he  took  a fancy  to 
play  ; and,  setting  up  the  ninepins,  he  bowled  at  them  with 
the  balls,  and  as  each  one  fell  down  he  shouted  for  joy  and 
pleasure.  The  Giant  heard  the  noise,  and,  stretching  his 
head  out  of  the  window,  he  saw  a man  no  bigger  than 
ordinary  mortals  playing  with  his  balls.  “You  worm!” 
cried  the  Giant,  “ what  are  you  meddling  with  my  balls 
for  ? who  gave  you  strength  to  do  that  ?”  The  King’s  Son 
looked  around,  up  and  down,  and  soon  saw  the  Giant,  to 
whom  he  replied,  “ You  simpleton,  do  you  think  you  alone 
have  strength  of  arm  ? I can  do  anything  I wish.”  The 
Giant  thereupon  came  down,  and  looked  on  in  astonishment 
at  the  bowling ; but  soon  he  said,  “ Child  of  man,  if  you 
are  of  that  race,  go  and  fetch  me  an  apple  from  the  tree  of 
life.” 

“ What  do  you  want  with  it  ?”  inquired  the  Prince. 

“I  do  not  require  the  apple  for  myself,”  said  the  Giant: 


The  Prince1  who  was  afraid  of  Nothing.  147 

“ but  I have  a wife  who  longs  for  it.  I have  already  gone 
far  into  the  world,  but  cannot  find  the  tree.” 

“I  will  soon  find  it,”  replied  the  Prince;  “and  I know 
not  what  shall  prevent  me  from  bringing  away  an  apple.” 
“Do  you  think,  then,  it  is  such  an  easy  matter?”  said 
the  Giant;  “the  garden  wherein  the  tree  stands  is  sur- 
rounded with  an  iron  railing,  and  before  this  railing  lie 
wild  beasts  one  after  the  other,  keeping  watch,  that  nobody 
may  enter.” 

“ They  will  soon  let  me  in,”  said  the  Prince. 

“Yes,  you  may  enter  the  garden  and  see  the  apples 
hanging  on  the  tree,”  replied  the  Giant;  “but  still  they 
are  not  thine ; for  on  the  tree  is  a ring,  through  which  one 
must  push  his  hand  before  he  can  reach  the  fruit  to  pluck 
it,  and  this  has  never  yet  been  successfully  performed.” 

“ Then  I shall  be  the  first  lucky  one,”  said  the  Prince ; 
and,  taking  leave  of  the  Giant,  he  went  over  fields  and 
through  woods,  up  hill  and  down  dale,  till  at  last  he  came  to 
the  wonderful  garden.  The  beasts  lay  around  it  in  a circle, 
but  they  were  all  sunk  in  a deep  sleep,  and  did  not  awake 
even  when  he  stepped  across  them ; and,  climbing  over 
the  railing,  he  entered  the  garden.  In  the  middle  of  this 
garden  stood  the  tree  of  life,  with  the  red  apples  glistening 
on  the  boughs.  The  Prince  climbed  up  the  trunk  of  the 
tree,  and,  as  he  reached  his  hand  up  to  the  fruit,  he  saw  a 
ring  hanging  down,  through  which  he  thrust  his  hand  with- 
out difficulty  and  broke  off  an  apple.  The  ring  slid  down 
and  closed  tight  upon  his  arm,  and  immediately  he  felt  as 
it  were  a stream  of  fresh  strength  infused  into  his  veins. 
When  he  had  descended  the  tree  again  with  the  apple,  he 
would  not  clamber  over  the  railing  to  get  out  of  the  garden, 
but  went  to  the  great  gate,  and,  giving  it  a shake,  it  sprang 
open  with  a crash.  Then  he  went  out,  and  the  lion  which 
had  before  lain  at  the  door  jumped  up  and  followed  him, 
not  in  rage  and  anger,  but  submissively  as  his  master. 


148  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

The  Prince  took  the  promised  apple  to  the  Giant,  and 
said  to  him,  “See,  I have  fetched  it  without  trouble.” 
The  Giant  was  very  glad  to  have  his  wrish  fulfilled  so 
soon,  and  hastened  to  his  wife  to  give  her  the  apple  which 
she  had  longed  for.  This  wife  was  a beautiful  young 
maiden,  who,  when  she  saw  the  ring  was  not  on  the 
Giant’s  arm,  said,  “I  do  not  believe  that  you  obtained 
it  yourself,  or  else  the  ring  Avould  be  on  your  arm.”  “I 
have  only  to  go  home  and  fetch  it,”  replied  the  Giant;  for 
he  imagined  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  take  the  ring 
from  the  Prince  by  force,  if  he  would  not  give  it  up 
willingly.  So  he  went  and  demanded  the  ring,  but  the 
Prince  would  not  part  with  it.  “ Where  the  apple  is  the 
ring  must  be  too,”  said  the  Giant,  “and,  if  you  are  not 
willing  to  give  it  to  me,  we  must  fight  for  it.” 

For  a long  time  they  wrestled  and  fought,  but  the 
Giant  could  not  master  the  Prince,  who  Avas  strengthened 
by  the  ring.  So  he  bethought  himself  of  a stratagem,  and 
said  to  his  opponent,  “I  am  quite  hot  with  fighting,  and 
you  are  hot  too ; let  us  plunge  into  the  stream  and  cool 
ourselves  before  we  begin  again.”  The  Prince  did  not 
detect  the  false  pretence,  and,  going  to  the  rftrer,  he  pulled 
off  his  clothes,  together-  Avith  the  ring,  and  plunged  in. 
Immediately  he  had  done  so  the  Giant  snatched  up  the 
ring  and  ran  away  with  it;  but  the  lion,  Avho  had  per- 
ceived the  thievish  trick,  pursued  the  Giant,  and  tearing 
the  ring  out  of  his  hand  brought  it  back  to  his  master. 
Then  the  Giant  hid  himself  behind  a tree,  and,  when  the 
Prince  was  busy  drawing  on  his  clothes  again,  he  suddenly 
came  behind,  and,  knocking  him  over,  put  out  both  his 
eyes. 

How  the  poor  Prince  was  blind,  and  kneAv  not  hoAv  to 
kelp  himself;  and  presently  the  Giant  came,  and,  leading 
him  by  the  hand,  conducted  him  to  the  edge  of  a precipice. 
There  he  left  the  Prince  standing,  thinking  to  himself,  “ A 


The  Prince  who  was  afraid  of  Nothing.  149 

couple  of  steps  farther  and  he  will  be  a dead  man,  and  the 
ring  will  fall  into  my  hands.”  But  the  faithful  lion  had 
not  deserted  his  master,  but  kept  tight  hold  of  his  clothes, 
and  drew  him  back  by  degrees  from  the  edge.  Afterwards, 
when  the  Giant  came  to  plunder  the  dead,  he  found  his 
stratagem  had  failed.  “ Is  this  weak  man,  then,  not  to  be 
destroyed  ?”  exclaimed  the  Giant,  wrathfully ; and,  catch- 
ing hold  of  the  Prince’s  hand,  he  led  him  by  quite  another 
path  to  a frightful  abyss ; but  here  also  the  faithful  lion 
accompanied  his  master,  and  saved  him  from  the  danger. 
As  soon  as  they  were  come  to  the  edge,  the  Giant  let  go 
of  the  Prince’s  hand,  and  thought  he  would  soon  walk 
over ; but  the  lion  gave  the  Giant  himself  a push,  so  that 
he  fell  into  the  abyss  and  was  dashed  to  pieces. 

The  faithful  beast  then  pulled  his  master  away  from 
the  danger,  and  led  him  to  a tree,  near  which  a clear 
stream  ran  along.  Here  the  lion  made  his  master  sit 
down,  and  began  to  sprinkle  the  water  in  his  face  with 
his  tail.  Scarcely  had  a couple  of  drops  touched  his  eye- 
balls, when  he  immediately  received  his  sight,  and  observed 
a little  bird  which  flew  by  and  settled  on  a branch  of  the 
tree.  Then  it  flew  down  and  bathed  itself  in  the  stream, 
and  soon  flew  away  again  among  the  trees;  for  it  had 
regained  its  sight,  which  was  lost.  Here  the  Prince  recog- 
nized the  providence  of  God,  and,  bathing  himself  in  the 
stream,  he  washed  his  face ; and  when  he  came  out  of  the 
water  he  found  he  could  see  as  well  as  ever  he  had  in  his 
life. 

The  Prince  thereupon  returned  thanks  to  God  for  his 
great  goodness,  and  travelled,  accompanied  by  his  lion, 
further  a-field.  It  chanced  next  that  he  came  to  a castle 
which  was  enchanted,  and  at  its  door  stood  a young  maiden 
of  fine  stature  and  appearance,  but  quite  black.  She  ad- 
dressed the  Prince,  saying,  “ Ah  ! could  you  save  me  from 
the  wicked  enchanter  who  has  power  over  me?”  “What 


150 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


stall  I do  to  accomplish  that?”  asked  the  Prince.  “You 
must  pass  three  nights  in  the  court  of  this  enchanted  cas- 
tle,”- replied  the  maiden ; “ but  during  that  time  no  fear 
must  enter  your  heart.  If  you  are  troubled  most  horribly, 
and  yet  you  bear  it  without  complaint,  I am  saved,  for  they 
dare  not  take  your  life.” 

“ I am  not  afraid,”  said  the  Prince ; “ with  God’s  aid,  I 
will  try  my  fortune.”  And  so  saying,  he  went  joyfully 
into  the  hall  of  the  castle,  and  when  it  was  dark  sat  down 
and  waited  the  issue.  Till  midnight  all  was  still,  and  then 
began  a mighty  uproar,  for  out  of  every  corner  and  chink 
came  evil  spirits.  They  appeared  not  to  observe  the 
Prince,  for  they  sat  down  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  and, 
making  a fire,  presently  began  to  play.  When  one  of 
them  lost,  he  said,  “It  is  not  right,  there  is  somebody  here 
who  does  not  belong  to  us,  and  it  is  his  fault  that  I have 
lost.”  “Come  and  join  us,  you  there  behind  the  stove!” 
cried  the  others.  All  the  while  the  screaming  wras  so 
awful  that  nobody  could  have  heard  it  without  terror ; but 
the  Prince  remained  quite  quiet,  and  had  no  fear.  At  last 
all  the  evil  spirits  jumped  over  and  upon  him,  and  there 
were  so  many  of  them  that  he  could  not  protect  himself. 
They  pulled  him  down  on  the  ground,  shook  him,  pricked 
him,  beat  him,  and  tormented  him ; but  he  uttered  no  cry. 
Towards  morning  they  disappeared  ; but  the  Prince  was  so 
wearied  that  he  could  scarcely  move  his  limbs.  Soon  the 
sun  began  to  shine,  and  then  appeared  the  black  maiden, 
who  carried  in  her  hand  a bottle  containing  the  water  of 
life.  With  this  water  she  wrashed  the  Prince’s  face;  and 
immediately  all  his  strength  returned  and  he  was  as  vigor- 
ous as  ever.  “ One  night,”  said  she  to  him,  “ you  have 
luckily  passed  through  ; but  there  are  yet  two  more  to  try 
you.”  So  saying,  she  went  away,  and  the  Prince  observed 
that  her  feet  were  become  white  again. 

The  next  night  the  evil  spirits  came,  and  renewed  their 


The  Prince  who  was  afraid  of  Nothing.  151 

gambols ; tumbling  upon  and  over  tbe  poor  Prince,  as  the 
night  before,  till  his  whole  body  was  full  of  wounds. 
Nevertheless  he  bore  it  all ; and  when  day  broke  they 
were  forced  to  quit  him  ; and  the  maiden  again  appeared 
and  healed  him  with  the  water  of  life.  As  she  went  away 
he  observed  with  joy  that  her  arms  were  become  white  as 
far  as  the  tips  of  her  fingers.  Now  he  had  only  one  more 
night  to  pass ; but  that  was  the  worst  of  the  three  ; for 
when  the  crew  of  evil  spirits  came,  and  saw  him  there, 
they  shouted,  “What!  are  you  here  still?  You  shall  be 
tormented  now  till  your  breath  is  almost  gone.”  There- 
upon they  beat  and  knocked  him  about,  threw  him  here 
and  there,  pulled  his  arms  and  legs  as  if  they  would  tear 
them  off;  but  he  endured  it  all,  and  made  no  outcry. 
When  the  spirits  left  the  Prince  he  lay  quite  helpless  and 
unable  to  stir ; and  he  could  not  even  open  his  eyes  wide 
enough  to  see  the  black  maiden,  who  at  daybreak  came  in 
with  the  water  of  life.  Then  all  at  once  his  aches  and 
pains  left  him,  and  he  felt  quite  refreshed  and  strong  as  if 
he  were  just  awake;  and  when  he  opened  his  eyes  he  saw 
the  maiden  standing  by  him,  with  a snow-white  skin,  and 
a face  as  fair  as  the  bright  daylight!  “Arise,”  said  she, 
“ and  wave  your  sword  thrice  over  the  threshold ; then  all 
will  be  saved  !”  As  soon  as  the  Prince  did  this,  the  whole 
castle  was  freed  from  its  enchantment ; and  the  maiden 
became  what  she  really  was,  a rich  Princess.  Presently 
the  servants  entered  and  said  the  table  was  laid  in  the 
great  hall,  and  the  meat  placed  upon  it.  So  the  Prince 
and  Princess  sat  down  and  dined  together,  and  in  the- 
evening  the  wedding  was  celebrated  with  great  magnifi- 
cence and  rejoicing. 


CXXI. 


The  Evil  Spirit  and  Ms  Grandmother. 


npHERE  was  once  upon  a time  a mighty  war,  and  the 
King  of  a certain  country  had  many  Soldiers  engaged 
in  it ; but  he  gave  them  such  very  small  pay  that  they  had 
scarce  enough  to  live  upon.  At  length  three  of  the  Sol- 
diers agreed  to  run  away,  and  one  of  them  asked  the  others 
what  they  should  do;  for,  supposing  they  were  caught 
again,  they  would  be  hung  upon  the  gallows.  “ Do  you 
see  yon  great  corn-field?”  said  the  other,  “there  we  will 
conceal  ourselves,  and  nobody  will  find  us ; for  the  army 
will  not  dare  to  come  there,  and  to-morrow  they  will  march 
on.”  So  they  crept  into  the  corn ; but  the  army  did  not 
move,  but  remained  encamped  in  the  same  place.  The 
three  Soldiers  were  obliged,  therefore,  to  pass  two  days 
and  two  nights  in  the  corn,  and  they  became  so  hungry 
they  thought  they  must  die;  but  it  was  certain  death  if 
they  returned  to  the  army.  They  said  to  one  another, 
“What  avails  our  deserting?  we  shall  now  certainly  perish 
miserably  from  hunger.”  While  they  were  talking  a great 
fiery  Dragon  came  flying  over  their  heads,  and,  alighting 
near  the  spot  where  they  were,  asked  why  they  had  con- 
cealed themselves.  “We  are  three  Soldiers,”  they  replied, 
“and  have  deserted  because  our  pay  was  so  small:  and 
now  we  shall  die  from  hunger  if  we  stay  here,  or  be  hung 
on  the  gallows  if  we  return.” 

“If  you  will  serve  me  seven  years,”  said  the  Dragon, 
“ I will  carry  you  through  the  midst  of  the  army,  so  that 
no  one  shall  observe  you.” 

“We  have  no  choice  and  so  must  consent  to  your  pro- 
posal,” replied  the  Soldiers.  The  Dragon  thereupon  caught 


The  Evil  Spirit  and  his  Grandmother.  158 


them  up  by  his  claws,  and  carried  them  through  the  air, 
over  the  heads  of  their  comrades ; and  presently  set  them 
down.  Flow,  this  Dragon  was  the  Evil  Spirit ; and  he 
gave  the  Soldiers  a whip  each,  and  then  said,  “ If  you  crack 
this  well,  as  much  money  as  you  require  will  instantly  ap- 
pear before  you ; and  you  can  then  live  like  lords ; keep 
your  own  horses  and  carriages ; but  at  the  end  of  seven 
years  you  will  be  mine.”  With  these  words  he  handed  them 
a book  in  which  they  had  to  write  their  names,  while  the 
Evil  Spirit  told  them  he  would  give  them  one  chance  when 
the  time  was  up  of  escaping  his  power  by  answering  a 
riddle  which  he  would  propose.  Then  the  Dragon  flew 
away  from  them;  and  the  three  Soldiers  each  cracked  their 
whips,  and  cracked  their  whips  for  as  much  money  as  they 
required,  with  which  they  bought  fine  clothes  and  travelled 
about  like  gentlemen.  Wherever  they  went  they  lived  in 
the  greatest  splendour,  driving  and  riding  about,  and  eating 
and  drinking  to  their  hearts’  content;  but  no  bad  action 
could  be  laid  to  their  charge.  The  time  passed  quickly 
by ; and  as  the  end  of  the  seven  years  approached  two  of 
the  three  Soldiers  became  very  unhappy  and  dispirited ; but 
the  third  treated  the  matter  very  lightly,  saying,  “Fear  no- 
thing, my  brothers ! I have  got  a plan  in  my  head,  and  I 
will  solve  the  riddle.”  Soon  afterwards  they  went  into  the 
fields,  where  they  sat  down,  and  two  of  them  made  very 
wry  faces.  Presently  an  old  Woman  came  by,  and  asked 
them  why  they  were  so  sorrowful.  “Alas!”  said  they, 
“ alas  ! what  does  it  signify  ? you  cannot  help  us.”  “ Who 
knows  that  ?”  she  replied ; “ confide  your  griefs  to  me.” 
So  they  told  her  they  had  become  the  servants  of  the  Evil 
One,  nearly  seven  years  back,  and  thereby  they  came  into 
possession  of  money  as  fast  as  they  liked;  but  they  had 
signed  the  deed,  and  if  they  could  not  guess  a riddle  which 
he  would  propose  to  them  they  were  lost.  “ If  you  wish  to 
be  helped,”  replied  the  old  Woman,  “ one  of  you  must  go 

VOL.  n. — 7* 


154 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


into  the  forest,  and  there  he  will  find  a rock  overthrown, 
and  made  into  the  form  of  a hut;  into  this  he  must  enter, 
and  there  he  will  meet  with  help.”  The  two  low-spirited 
Soldiers  thought  this  would  not  help  them ; but  the  merry- 
one  got  up,  and,  going  into  the  forest,  came  soon  to  the 
rocky  cave.  In  this  place  sat  a very  old  Woman,  who  was 
Grandmother  to  the  Evil  Spirit;  and  she  asked  the  Soldier 
when  he  entered  whence  he  came,  and  what  his  business 
was.  He  told  her  everything  that  had  happened ; and 
because  his  manners  pleased  her  she  took  compassion  on 
him,  and  said  she  could  assist  him.  Thereupon  she  raised 
a large  stone,  under  which  was  the  cellar,  wherein  she  bade 
the  Soldier  conceal  himself,  and  he  would  hear  all  that 
transpired.  “Only  sit  still  and  keep  very  quiet,”  said  she, 
“and  then  when  the  Dragon  returns  I will  ask  him  about 
the  puzzle,  and  you  must  mind  what  answers  he  makes.” 
About  twelve  o’clock  at  night  the  Dragon  flew  in,  and 
desired  his  dinner.  His  Grandmother,  therefore,  covered 
the  table  with  food  and  drink ; and  they  ate  and  drank 
together  till  they  were  satisfied.  Then  she  asked  him 
what  success  he  had  met  with  that  day,  and  how  many 
souls  he  had  secured?  “ Things  did  not  go  well  to-day,” 
replied  the  Dragon ; “ but  yet  I have  caught  three  Sol- 
diers safe  enough.”  “Ah!  three  Soldiers!”  said  the  old 
Woman,  “and  I suppose  you  have  set  them  something  to 
do,  that  they  may  not  escape  you.”  “ They  are  mine,  they 
are  mine!”  cried  the  Evil  One  gleefully,  “for  I have  set 
them  a riddle  which  they  will  never  guess.” 

“What  is  this  riddle?”  asked  his  Grandmother. 

“ I will  tell  you  !”  replied  her  Grandson. 

“ In  the  great  North  Sea  lies  a dead  sea-cat,  that  shall 
be  their  roast  meat;  the  rib  of  a whale  shall  be  their  silver 
spoon ; and  an  old  hollow  horse’s  hoof  shall  be  their  wine- 
glass.” As  soon  as  the  Dragon  had  said  this  he  went  to 
bed,  and  the  old  Woman  raised  the  stone  and  let  out  the 


The  Evil  Spirit  and  his  Grandmother.  155 

Soldier.  “ Have  you  attended  perfectly  to  all  that  was 
said?”  inquired  the  old  Woman.  “Yes,”  he  replied,  “I 
know  well  enough  how  to  help  myself  now.” 

Then  he  had  to  slip  secretly  out  of  the  window,  and  by 
another  road  regain  his  companions  with  all  the  haste  he 
could.  He  told  them  how  craftily  the  old  Grandmother 
had  overreached  the  Dragon,  and  had  laid  bare  to  him  the 
solution  of  the  riddle.  When  he  had  finished  his  story  the 
two  other  Soldiers  recovered  their  spirits ; and,  all  taking 
their  whips,  flogged  for  themselves  so  much  money  that  it 
lay  in  heaps  all  around  them. 

Hot  long  after  this  the  seven  years  came  to  an  end,  and 
the  Evil  Spirit  made  his  appearance  with  the  book,  and, 
pointing  to  their  signatures,  said  to  the  Soldiers,  “ How  I 
will  take  you  into  my  dominions,  and  there  you  shall  have 
a meal ; but,  if  you  can  tell  me  what  meat  you  shall  have, 
you  shall  be  at  liberty  to  go  where  you  like  and  keep  your 
whips.” 

“ In  the  great  Horth  Sea  lies  a dead  sea-cat,  and  that 
shall  be  the  roast  meat,”  replied  the  first  Soldier. 

The  Evil  Spirit  was  very  much  put  out  with  this  ready 
answer ; hemmed  and  hawed,  and  asked  the  second  man 
what  should  be  the  spoon?  “ The  rib  of  a whale  shall  be 
the  silver  spoon !”  replied  the  second  Soldier. 

The  Evil  Spirit  now  drew  a longer  face  than  before, 
began  to  grumble  and  swear,  and  asked  the  third  Soldier, 
“ Do  you  know  what  your  wine-glass  will  be  ?” 

“An  old  horse’s  hoof!”  he  replied. 

At  this  reply  the  Evil  Spirit  flew  away  with  a loud 
outcry,  for  he  had  no  longer  any  power  over  the  three 
Soldiers,  who,  taking  up  their  whips,  procured  all  the 
money  they  wanted,  and  thereon  lived  happily  and  con- 
tentedly to  a good  old  age. 


CXXII. 


The  Idle  Spinner. 


TjST  a certain  village  lived  a Man  and  his  Wife,  who  was 
such  a very  idle  woman  that  she  would  do  no  work  at 
all  scarcely  ; for  what  her  husband  gave  her  to  spin  she  did 
very  slowly,  and  then  would  not  take  the  trouble  to  wind 
it,  so  that  it  lay  on  the  ground  ravelled  and  shackled. 
Whenever  her  husband  scolded  her  she  was  always  before- 
hand with  an  excuse,  and  used  to  say,  “ Why,  how  can  I 
wind  without  a reel?  you  must  go  and  fetch  me  one  from 
the  wood  first.”  “Well,  if  that  is  all,”  said  her  husband 
one  day,  “ if  that  is  all,  I will  go  and  find  you  one.”  As 
soon  as  he  said  this,  the  Woman  began  to  be  afraid  that  if 
he  found  a piece  of  wood  he  would  make  a reel  from  it,  and 
she  would  have  to  wind  up  what  was  ravelled  and  begin 
afresh.  She  therefore  considered  a while  what  she  should 
do,  and  then  the  lucky  thought  came  to  run  into  the  forest 
secretly  after  her  husband.  She  found  him  in  the  act  of 
cutting  a branch  off,  for  the  purpose  of  trimming  it ; and 
so,  slipping  in  among  the  brushwood  where  he  could  not 
see  her,  she  began  to  sing — 

“ He  that  cuts  a reel  shall  die, 

And  he  that  winds  shall  perish.” 

The  Man  listened,  laid  down  his  axe,  and  wondered  what 
the  voice  meant.  At  last  he  said,  “ Ah ! well ! what  should 
it  be  ? it  was  nothing  but  some  fancy  in  my  head,  about 
which  I need  not  fear!”  So  saying,  he  seized  his  axe  and 
began  again ; but  the  voice  sang  as  before — 

“ He  that  cuts  a reel  shall  die, 

And  he  that  winds  shall  perish.” 


The  Idle  Spinner. 


157 


The  Man  stopped  again,  and  began  to  feel  very  uncomfort- 
able and  frightened;  but  he  soon  took  courage  and  began 
to  chop  again.  At  the  same  time  the  voice  cried  again — - 

“ He  that  cuts  a reel  shall  die, 

And  he  that  winds  shall  perish.’’ 

This  time  he  was  too  frightened  to  do  anything  more,  and 
hastily  leaving  the  tree  he  set  out  homewards.  Meanwhile 
his  Wife,  by  a bypath,  and  by  means  of  great  exertion, 
reached  home  before  him  ; and  when  he  arrived  she  looked 
as  innocent  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  and  inquired  of  her 
husband  if  he  had  brought  a good  reel?  “Mo,  no!”  he 
said ; “ I can  see  very  well  that  it  is  of  no  use ; winding 
won’t  do !”  and  then,  after  telling  her  all  that  had  hap- 
pened, he  ceased  to  scold  her  for  her  idleness. 

But  only  for  a while,  for  soon  the  disorder  in  his  house 
began  to  vex  him  again.  “Wife,  wife!”  he  said,  “it  is 
surely  a shame  that  you  leave  your  thread  in  that  ravel.” 
“Well,  do  you  know  what  to  do?”  said  she;  “since  we 
can  get  no  reel,  do  you  lie  down  on  the  floor,  and  I will 
stand  above  you,  and  then  you  must  throw  the  thread  up 
to  me,  and  I will  send  it  back  to  you,  and  so  we  will  make 
a skein.”  “Ah!  yes,  that  will  do,”  said  the  Man;  and 
they  pursued  this  plan,  and  as  soon  as  the  skein  was  ready 
he  talked  of  its  being  boiled.  This  aggravated  the  woman 
again,  and  she  bethought  herself  of  some  new  plot,  while 
she  consented  to  do  as  he  proposed.  Early  in  the  morning, 
accordingly,  she  got  up,  made  a fire,  and,  putting  on  tbe 
kettle,  put  a lump  of  tow  into  it  instead  of  the  skein  of 
thread,  and  left  it  to  soak.  This  done,  she  went  to  her 
husband,  who  was  still  in  bed,  and  said  to  him,  “ I have  to 
go  out  now ; but  do  you  get  up  at  once  and  see  after  the 
thread  which  is  in  the  kettle  over  the  fire  ; and  mind  you 
are  very  attentive  to  it,  for  if  by  chance  the  cock  should 
crow  before  you  look  at  it  the  thread  will  all  turn  to  tow.” 


158 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


The  husband  thereupon  got  up  at  once,  and  stopped 
for  no  further  directions,  but,  running  as  quick  as  he  could 
into  the  kitchen,  he  looked  into  the  kettle,  and  grew  pale 
with  affright;  the  thread  was  already  changed  into  tow. 
After  this  the  poor  man  was  as  still  as  a mouse,  for  he  be- 
lieved that  it  was  his  fault  that  the  thread  was  spoiled ; 
and  for  the  future  he  dared  say  nothing  about  thread  and 
spinning. 

But  I must  confess  that  after  all  the  Woman  was  in- 
deed an  idle,  slovenly  wife. 


CXXTTT. 

The  Four  Accomplished  Brothers. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a Man  who  had  four  sons, 
and  when  they  were  grown  up  young  men  he  told 
them  one  day  that  they  must  push  their  own  way  in  the 
world,  for  he  had  nothing  to  give  them,  and  so  they  must 
go  among  strangers  and  each  learn  a different  trade,  till 
they  were  perfect.  The  four  Brothers,  therefore,  took  their 
walking  staffs,  and,  after  bidding  their  father  good  bye,  set 
out  from  their  own  door.  After  they  had  travelled  some 
distance,  they  came  to  a point  where  four  cross-roads  met. 

“ Here  we  must  separate,”  said  the  eldest  brother ; “ but  in 
four  years’  time  we  will  meet  again  in  this  place,  and  re- 
count our  several  fortunes.” 

Each  Brother,  therefore,  went  his  way ; and  soon  the  , 
eldest  met  a man,  who  inquired  of  him  his  business  and 
destination.  “I  wish  to  learn  a trade  !”  he  replied.  “Then 
come  with  me!”  said  the  man,  “and  become  a Thief.” 
“No  !”  replied  the  other;  “ that  is  not  an  honourable  em- 
ployment; and,  besides,  the  end  of  that  song  is  that  one 
gets  used  like  the  clapper  in  a bell.”  “ Oh,  you  need  not 
fear  the  gallows!”  said  the  Thief.  “I  will  teach  you  so 
that  nobody  shall  ever  be  able  to  catch  you  or  find  any 
trace  of  you.”  Thereupon  the  man  let  himself  be  per- 
suaded, and  became,  under  the  other’s  teaching,  such  an 
accomplished  Thief  that  nothing  was  safe  which  he  set  his 
mind  on  having. 

Meanwhile  the  second  Brother  had  met  a man  who 
had  asked  the  very  same  questions  as  the  first  one  did ; 
and,  when  he  was  told  what  the  business  was,  he  invited 
the  youth  to  become  a Star-gazer.  “There  is  nothing 


160 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


better  than  that,”  he  said,  “for  nothing  is  hid  from  you.” 
The  third  Brother  was  taken  in  hand  by  a Huntsman,  and 
received  such  capital  instructions  in  all  the  branches  of  the 
art  of  shooting  that  he  became  quite  a renowned  marks- 
man. On  leaving,  his  master  presented  him  with  a gun, 
which  he  said  would  never  miss,  for  whatever  he  aimed  at 
it  was  sure  to  hit.  The  youngest  Brother  had  meanwhile 
met  a Tailor,  and  was  asked  whether  he  would  not  like 
that  trade.  “I  am  not  so  sure  about  that,”  replied  the 
youth ; “for  the  sitting  cross-legged  from  morning  to  night, 
the  continual  stitching  backwards  and  forwards  of  the 
needle,  and  a tailor’s  goose,  are  not  altogether  to  my  mind.” 
“There,  there!”  cried  the  man,  “you  are  talking  about 
what  you  do  not  understand ; you  will  learn  quite  a dif- 
ferent sort  of  tailoring  with  me,  and  one  which  is  very 
honourable  in  its  way,  besides  being  easy  and  handsome!” 
The  youth  was  over-persuaded  with  these  representations, 
and,  accompanying  his  new  friend,  he  learnt  the  tailoring 
•trade  from  its  very  basis.  At  leaving,  his  master  gave 
him  a needle,  and  told  him  that  he  could  sew  together  with 
that  whatever  he  pleased,  even  if  it  were  as  tender  as  an 
eacr-shell  or  as  hard  as  steel,  and  not  even  a seam  would  be 
perceivable  to  any  one  after  he  had  done  it. 

When  the  four  years  had  passed  over,  the  four  Brothers 
arrived  all  together  at  the  same  time  at  the  cross-ways, 
and,  after  embracing  and  kissing  each  other,  returned  home 
to  their  Father.  “ Ah  I”  he  cried,  when  he  saw  them  come 
in,  “ so  the  wind  has  blown  you  back  again !”  and  there- 
upon they  related  all  their  adventures,  and  said  they  had 
each  learnt  a trade.  While  they  were  telling  their  tales 
they  sat  under  a great  tree,  and,  as  soon  as  they  had  done, 
their  Father  said  he  would  now  put  their  accomplishments 
to  the  test.  So  he  looked  up,  and  then  said  to  his  second 
son,  “ At  the  top  of  this  ti'ee,  between  two  boughs,  there 
is  a bullfinch’s  nest ; now  tell  me  how  many  eggs  there  are 


The  Four  Accomplished  Brothers. 


161 


in  it.”  The  Star-gazer  took  his  glass,  and,  looking  through 
it,  said  there  were  five  eggs.  “Fetch  the  nest  down  with- 
out disturbing  the  mother  bird,  who  is  sitting  on  the  eggs,” 
said  the  Father  then  to  his  eldest  son.  The  clever  Thief 
climbed  up  the  tree,  and  took  the  five  eggs  from  under- 
neath the  body  of  the  bird  without  disturbing  or  frighten- 
ing her,  and  brought  them  to  his  Father.  The  Father  took 
them,  and  laying  one  at  each  corner  of  a table  placed  the 
fifth  in  the  middle,  and  told  the  Huntsman  to  cut  them  all 
in  halves  at  one  shot.  He  aimed  his  gun,  and  at  the  first 
trial  the  five  eggs  were  shot  as  his  Father  wished; — and 
surely  he  must  have  a good  charge  of  powder  who  shoots 
round  a corner.  “ How  it  is  your  turn,”  said  the  old  Man 
to  his  other  son ; “do  you  sew  the  egg-shells  together,  and 
also  the  young  birds  which  were  in  them,  in  such  a manner 
that  the  shot  may  not  appear  to  have  injured  them.”  The 
Tailor  produced  his  needle,  and  soon  did  what  was  ex- 
pected of  him,  and,  when  he  had  finished,  the  Thief  had 
to  carry  the  eggs  back  to  the  nest,  and  lay  them  again 
under  the  bird  without  being  perceived  by  it.  This  he 
did,  and  the  old  bird  hatched  her  eggs  in  a couple  of 
days  afterwards,  and  the  young  ones  had  a red  streak 
round  their  neck  where  the  Tailor  had  joined  them  toge- 
ther. 

When  his  sons  had  done  all  these  wonderful  things, 
the  Father  said  to  them,  “Well,  you  have  certainly  used 
your  time  well,  and  learnt  what  is  very  useful,  and  for  this 
I must  praise  you  in  green  clover,  as  the  saying  goes ; but 
I cannot  tell  which  of  you  ought  to  have  the  preference, 
and  so  that  must  be  left  to  be  seen  when  an  opportunity 
occurs  of  displaying  your  talents  publicly.” 

Not  long  after  this  a great  lamentation  was  made  in  the 
country  because  the  King’s  daughter  had  been  carried  away 
by  a Dragon.  Her  father  was  overcome  with  grief  all  day 
and  night  long,  and  caused  it  to  be  proclaimed  that  whoever 


162  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

should  rescue  the  Princess  should  have  her  for  his  wife. 
The  four  Brothers  thereupon  thought  this  was  the  oppor- 
tunity they  needed,  and  agreed  to  go  together  and  deliver 
the  Princess  and  show  their  talents.  “ I will  soon  discover 
where  she  is  1”  cried  the  Star-gazer,  and,  peeping  through 
his  telescope’  he  said,  “ I can  see  her  already  ; she  is  on  a 
rock  in  the  midst  of  the  sea  far  away  from  here,  and 
watched  by  the  Dragon.”  Then  he  went  to  the  King,  and 
requested  a ship  for  himself  and  his  Brothers,  in  which 
they  sailed  over  the  sea  till  they  came  near  the  rock.  The 
Princess  observed  their  arrival,  but  the  Dragon  was  fast 
asleep,  with  his  head  in  her  lap.  “ I dare  not  shoot!”  said 
the  Hunter,  when  he  saw  them,  “ for  fear  I should  kill  the 
Princess  as  well  as  the  Dragon.”  “ Then  I will  try  my 
remedy!”  said  the  Thief;  and,  slipping  away,  he  stole  the 
Princess  out  of  the  power  of  the  Dragon,  but  so  lightly  and 
cunningly  that  the  monster  noticed  nothing,  but  snored  on. 
Full  of  joy,  they  hurried  with  her  down  to  the  ship,  and 
steered  away  to  the  open  sea;  but  the  Dragon,  soon 
awaking,  missed  the  Princess,  and  came  flying  through 
the  air  full  of  rage  in  pursuit  of  her.  Just  as  he  was 
hovering  above  the  ship,  and  was  about  to  alight  on  it, 
the  Huntsman  took  aim,  fired,  and  shot  the  beast  through 
the  heart.  The  Dragon  fell,  but  in  his  fall  he  crushed  the 
whole  ship  to  pieces,  because  of  his  great  size  and  weight. 
Luckily  they  saved  a couple  of  planks,  and  on  these  the 
four  Brothers  and  the  Princess  floated  about.  They  were 
now  in  a great  strait,  but  the  Tailor  with  his  wonderful 
needle  sewed  together  the  two  planks  with  great  stitches, 
and  then  collected  the  remaining  pieces  of  the  ship.  These 
he  sewed  together  so  cleverly  that  in  a short  time  the  whole 
vessel  was  as  tight  and  complete  as  before,  and  they  sailed 
home  in  her  without  further  accident ! 

As  soon  as  the  King  saw  his  dear  daughter  again  he 
was  very  glad,  and  said  to  the  four  Brothers,  “ One  of  you 


The  Four  Accomplished  Brothers.  163 

shall  have  mj  daughter  to  wife,  but  which,  you  must  settle 
amongst  yourselves.” 

Thereupon  a tremendous  quarrel  took  place  between 
them,  for  each  pressed  his  own  claims.  The  Star-gazer 
declared  that  if  he  had  not  seen  the  Princess  all  their 
doings  would  have  been  of  no  use,  and  so  she  was  his. 
But  the  Thief  exclaimed,  “Of  what  use  would  your  seeing 
have  been  if  I had  not  stolen  her  away  from  the  Dragon  ? 
the  Princess  is  mine !”  “ But  you  would  have  been  all 

torn  in  pieces  by  the  Dragon  had  not  my  ball  reached  his 
heart!”  interrupted  the  Huntsman ; “ and  so  she  must  be 
mine.”  “ That  is  all  very  fine !”  said  the  Tailor ; “ but  if 
it  had  not  been  for  my  sewing  the  ship  together  again  you 
would  have  been  all  drowned!  no,  the  Princess  is  mine!” 
When  they  had  all  spoken  thus,  the  King  decided  the 
question  by  saying : — “ You  have  all  an  equal  claim  ; but, 
since  you  cannot  all  have  the  Princess,  not  one  of  you  shall 
have  her,  but  I will  give  each  of  you  instead  the  half  of  a 
province  as  a reward.” 

This  decision  pleased  the  Brothers,  who  said,  “Yes,  it 
will  be  better  so,  for  then  we  shall  remain  united.”  There- 
upon each  received  half  the  revenue  of  a province,  as  the 
King  said ; and  in  the  enjoyment  of  this  they  lived,  happily 
with  their  Father  so  long  as  God  pleased. 


CXXIV. 


The  Donkey  Cabbages. 


NCE  upon  a time  there  was  a young  Sportsman  who 


was  out  in  search  of  game.  He  had  an  honest  and 
merry  heart,  and  whistled  as  he  went  along;  and  by-and- 
by  he  met  an  ugly  old  Woman,  who  spoke  to  him  and 
said,  “Good-day,  my  good  Huntsman ; you  are  merry  and 
well  fed,  but  I am  suffering  from  hunger  and  thirst ; give 
me  an  alms,  I pray  you.”  The  Sportsman  pitied  the  poor 
woman,  and,  putting  his  hand  in  his  pocket,  gave  her  what 
he  could  afford.  As  soon  as  he  had  done  so,  he  was  walk- 
ing on  ; but  the  Woman  stopped  him,  aud  said  to  him, 
“ Listen  to  what  I have  to  say  ; for  your  good-heartedness 
I will  make  you  a present;  go  now  straight  along  this 
road,  and  soon  you  will  come  to  a tree  whereon  sit  nine 
birds,  quarrelling  over  a cloak  which  one  will  have.  Aim 
at  them  with  your  gun,  and  shoot  in  the  midst  of  them  ; 
then,  not  only  the  mantle  will  drop,  but  also  one  of  the 
birds  will  fall  down  dead.  Take  the  cloak  with  you;  it  is 
a wishing-cloak,  which  if  you  put  on  your  shoulders,  you 
have  only  to  wish  yourself  where  you  would  be,  and  at 
the  moment  you  will  be  there.  Take  out  also  the  heart 
of  the  dead  bird,  and  swallow  it  whole,  and  then  every 
morning  when  you  arise  you  will  find  a gold  piece  under 
your  pillow.” 

The  Huntsman  thanked  the  wise  Woman,  and  thought 
to  himself,  “ These  indeed  are  good  gifts,  if  they  turn  out 
as  is  promised.”  He  had  not  gone  a hundred  yards  from 
the  spot  before  he  heard  a great  chirping  and  rustling 
among  the  trees,  and,  looking  up,  he  saAv  on  one  of  them 
a bevy  of  birds,  who  were  plucking  at  a cloth  with  their 


The  Donkey  Cabbages. 


165 


bills  and  claws,  tearing  it  among  them,  for  each  one  wanted 
it  for  itself.  “Now,  this  is  wonderful !”  cried  the  Sports- 
man; “it  is  come  to  pass  just  as  the  old  woman  prom- 
ised !”  and,  lifting  his  gun  to  his  shoulder,  he  shot  at 
the  birds,  who  all  flew  awaj  but  one,  which  fell  dead  with 
the  cloak  over  which  they  had  been  disputing.  Then  the 
Huntsman  did  as  the  old  Wife  had  said;  he  cut  out  the 
heart  of  the  bird  and  swallowed  it  whole,  but  the  cloak  he 
took  home  with  him. 

The  next  morning  when  he  awoke  he  remembered  the 
promise,  and,  lifting  his  pillow  up,  he  found  under  it  a 
bright,  shining  piece  of  gold.  The  morrow  morning  it 
was  the  same,  and  so  it  went  on : every  day  he  got  up 
he  found  another  piece.  Soon  he  collected  a heap  of 
gold,  and  thought,  “What  use  is  all  this  gold  to  me  if 
I stay  at  home?  I will  go  away  and  look  about  the 
world.” 

So  he  took  leave  of  his  parents,  and,  hanging  around 
him  his  belt  and  pouch,  he  set  out  on  his  travels.  One 
day  it  chanced  that  he  passed  through  a thick  forest,  and 
as  he  came  to  the  end  of  it  he  saw  in  the  distance  before 
him  a magnificent  castle.  At  one  window  of  it  stood  an 
old  Woman,  with  a wonderfully  beautiful  Maiden  by  her 
side,  looking  out.  But  this  old  lady  was  a Witch,  and 
said  to  her  daughter,  “ Here  comes  one  out  of  the  forest 
who  has  a wonderful  treasure  in  his  body,  which  we  must 
have ; for,  my  beloved  daughter,  it  is  more  fit  for  us  than 
for  him : it  is  a bird’s  heart,  and  whoever  possesses  it  finds 
a gold  piece  every  morning  under- his  pillow.”  She  further 
told  her  daughter  how  it  was  to  be  procured,  and  what  she 
was  to  do ; and  threatened  her,  if  she  did  not  obey,  to  visit 
her  with  some  misfortune.  As  soon  as  the  Huntsman 
approached  he  perceived  the  Maiden,  and  said  to  himself, 
“I  am  weary  enough  with  travelling  about,  so  I will  now 
rest,  and  turn  into  this  fine  castle,  for  I have  money 


166 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


enough.”  But  the  real  reason  was  the  beautiful  face  -which 
he  saw  at  the  windows. 

He  entered  the  house,  and  was  hospitably  received  and 
courteously  entertained  ; and  soon  it  came  to  pass  that  he 
was  so  in  love  with  the  daughter  of  the  Witch  that  he 
could  think  of  nothing  else,  and  followed  her  with  his 
eyes  everywhere,  willing  to  do  all  she  wished.  Then  the 
old  Woman  said,  “Now  we  must  get  the  bird’s  heart,  for 
he  will  not  miss  it  when  it  is  gone !”  She  concocted,  there- 
fore, a drink  ; and  when  it  was  ready  she  put  it  into  a cup 
and  gave  it  to  her  daughter,  who  had  to  hand  it  to  the 
Huntsman,  and  say,  “Now,  dearest,  drink  to  me!”  He 
took  the  eup,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  swallowed  the  draught 
the  heart  fell  out  of  his  mouth.  The  Maiden  carried  it 
secretly  away,  and  then  swallowed  it,  for  the  old  Woman 
wanted  it  herself.  Ever  after  the  Huntsman  no  longer 
found  gold  pieces  under  his  pillow,  for  they  lay  now  beneath 
the  Maiden’s  head,  and  the  old  Witch  fetched  them  every 
morning.  But  he  never  troubled  himself  about  the  matter, 
and  was  content  so  long  as  he  passed  his  time  with  the 
Maiden. 

Soon  the  old  Witch  began  to  say  to  her  daughter,  “ We 
have  the  bird’s  heart,  but  not  the  cloak,  which  we  ought 
also  to  have.”  This  the  Maiden  would  fain  have  left  him, 
since  he  had  lost  his  riches  ; but  the  old  mother  flew  into 
a passion,  and  said,  “ This  cloak  is  a wonderful  thing,  and 
such  as  is  seldom  found  in  the  world,  and  I must  and  will 
have  it!”  With  these  words  she  beat  her  daughter,  and 
vowed,  if  she  did  not  obey  her,  to  do  her  some  injury.  The 
daughter,  therefore,  at  the  bidding  of  her  mother,  placed 
herself  at  the  window  one  day,  and  looked  sadly  at  the  far 
distance.  “ Why  stand  you  so  sorrowfully  there?”  asked 
the  Huntsman.  “ Ah,  my  treasure  !”  she  replied,  “ over 
there  lies  the  granite  mountain,  where  grow  precious  stones, 
and  when  I think  about  them  I become  quite  sad,  for  I 


The  Donkey  Cabbages. 


167 


long  so  for  them ; but  who  can  get  them  ? onty  the  birds 
which  fly  to  and  fro  ; no  man  ever  can.  ’ 

“Is  that  all  that  you  have  to  complain  of?”  said  the 
Huntsman ; “ then  I will  soon  remove  that  grief  from  your 
heart.” 

Thereupon  he  put  her  under  his  cloak,  and  wished  him- 
self over  the  granite  mountain ; and  in  a moment  they  were 
set  down  in  the  place.  There  glittered  the  precious  stones 
on  all  sides,  so  that  it  was  a pleasure  to  see  them ; and 
they  collected  the  most  costly  ones  together.  But  now  the 
Witch  had  caused  by  her  arts  a great  drowsiness  to  come 
over  the  poor  Huntsman,  and  he  said  to  the  Maiden,  “We 
will  sit  down  and  rest  awhile,  for  I am  so  tired  I cannot 
keep  upon  my  feet.”  So  they  sat  down,  and  he  laid  his 
head  in  her  lap  and  went  to  sleep  ; and  while  he  slept  the 
Maiden  took  the  cloak  from  his  shoulder  and  threw  it  over 
her  own  back,  and  then,  gathering  up  the  precious  stones, 
she  wished  herself  home  again. 

By-and-by  the  Huntsman  awoke,  and  found  that  his 
mistress  had  deceived  him,  and  left  him  alone  on  the  wild 
mountain.  “ Alas !”  he  cried,  “ what  faithlessness  there  is 
in  the  world  !”  and  he  remained  lost  in  care  and  anxiety, 
ignorant  what  to  do. 

The  mountain  belonged  to  some  rough  and  mighty 
Giants,  who  dwelt  upon  it  and  earned  their  living  there ; 
and  in  a short  time  the  Huntsman  perceived  three  of  them 
striding  towards  him.  He  laid  himself  down  and  feigned 
to  be  in  a deep  sleep,  and  presently  the  three  Giants  came 
striding  along,  and  the  first  kicked  him  with  his  foot  and 
exclaimed,  “ What  earthworm  is  this  lying  here  ?”  “ Tread 
him  to  death  !”  said  the  second  Giant.  But  the  third  said, 
contemptuously,  “ That  is  not  worth  while;  let  him  alone, 
he  cannot  remain  here,  and  if  he  climbs  higher  up  the  hill 
the  clouds  will  take  him  and  carry  him  away.”  After  this 
conversation  they  went  away ; but  the  Huntsman  had 


168  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

noted  all  they  said,  and  as  soon  as  they  were  gone  he  got 
up  and  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  mountain.  After  he  had 
sat  there  a little  while  a cloud  came  sweeping  by,  which 
caught  him  up  and  carried  him  floating  about  the  air.  Then 
it  began  to  sink  down  over  a large  walled-in  vegetable  gar- 
den, where,  among  cabbages  and  other  herbs,  he  fell  softly 
to  the  ground.  There  the  Huntsman  looked  round,  and 
said,  “ If  I had  only  something  to  eat,  for  with  the  distance 
I have  travelled  I am  very  hungry  ; but  here  I cannot  see 
i a single  apple,  berry,  or  fruit  of  any  kind ; everywhere 
nothing  but  cabbages.”  At  length  he  thought  that  out  of 
necessity  he  would  eat  a salad,  which,  although  it  had  not 
a delicate  flavour,  would  yet  refresh  him.  Thereupon  he 
looked  out  for  a good  head  of  cabbage,  and  ate  thereof ; 
but  he  had  scarcely  tasted  a couple  of  bites  before  he  felt 
a wondrous  change  come  over  him,  and  found  himself  quite 
transformed.  From  his  body  grew  four  legs,  a thick  head, 
and  two  long  ears  ; and  he  perceived  with  anguish  that  he 
was  changed  into  a donkey ! Still,  however,  his  appetite 
was  not  appeased,  and  because  the  cabbage  tasted  well  now 
to  his  animal  appetite  he  ate  with  greater  pleasure.  At 
last  he  tasted  a different  kind,  and  immediately  he  felt  an- 
other change  come  over  him,  and  his  human  form  returned. 

The  Huntsman  now  lay  down  and  slept  with  weariness; 
and  when  he  awoke  in  the  morning  he  broke  off  a head 
of  the  bad  and  one  of  the  good  cabbages,  and  thought  to 
himself,  “ These  shall  help  me  to  my  own  again  and  punish 
the  faithless  one.”  With  these  words  he  concealed  the  cab- 
bages about  him,  and,  clambering  over  the  wall,  he  set  out 
to  search  for  the  castle  of  his  love.  He  luckily  discovered 
it  when  he  had  journeyed  only  a couple  of  days,  and, 
quickly  browning  his  face  so  that  his  own  mother  would 
not  have  recognised  him,  he  went  into  the  castle  and 
begged  a night’s  lodging.  “ I am  so  tired,”  he  said,  “ I 
can  go  no  further.”-  The  Witch  asked  him  who  he  was, 


The  Donkey  Cabbages. 


169 


and  what  was  his  business ; and  he  told  her  he  was  one  of 
the  King’s  messengers,  and  Tad  been  sent  to  seek  the 
most  delicate  cabbage  which  grew  upon  the  earth.  “ I 
have  been  successful,”  said  he,  “and  have  the  herb  with 
me ; but  the  heat  of  the  sun  is  so  strong  that  the  tender 
leaves  threaten  to  wither,  and  I know  not  if  I can 
carry  it  farther.” 

As  soon  as  the  old  Woman  heard  of  this  precious  cab- 
bage she  became  very  agreeable,  and  begged  the  Hunts- 
man to  allow  her  to  taste  the  vegetable.  “Why  not?”  he 
replied  ; “ I have  got  two  cabbages  with  me,  and  will  give 
you  one ;”  and,  opening  his  sack,  he  handed  her  the  bad 
herb.  The  Witch,  suspecting  nothing  wrong,  took  the 
cabbage  into  the  kitchen  to  cook  it,  for  her  mouth  watered 
for  the  unknown  delicacy.  As  soon  as  it  was  ready  she 
could  not  wait  till  it  was  put  on  the  table,  but  snatched  a 
part  of  it,  and  put  it  into  her  mouth.  Scarcely  had  she 
swallowed  it  when  she  lost  her  human  form,  and  ran  like  a 
donkey  into  the  stable-yard.  Presently  the  servant  went 
into  the  kitchen  and  saw  the  cabbage  ready  dressed,  which 
she  took  up  to  carry  in-doors ; but,  according  to  old  custom, 
she  tasted  it  on  the  way  to  the  parlour.  Immediately  the 
charm  began  to  work,  and  she  became  a donkey,  and  ran 
away  to  the  other ; while  the  dish  fell  on  the  ground,  and 
its  contents  were  spilled.  The  messenger  meanwhile  sat 
with  the  Maiden,  and  when  the  cabbage  did  not  come  she 
took  a fancy  to  have  some  also,  and  wondered  where  it  was. 
The  Huntsman  thought,  “ The  cabbage  has  begun  to  work !” 
and  said  to  the  Maiden,  “ I will  go  into  the  kitchen  and 
see  what  has  happened.”  As  soon  as  he  went  down  he 
saw  the  two  donkeys  running  about  the  court,  and  the  cab- 
bage lying  on  the  floor.  “All  right!”  cried  he;  “two 
have  received  their  share  !”  and,  picking  up  the  rest  of  the 
cabbage,  he  laid  it  on  a dish  and  took  it  to  the  Maiden. 
“ I have  brought  you  this  delicate  dish  myself,”  said  he, 

VOL.  ii. — 8 p 


170  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

“ that  you  may  not  have  to  wait  longer.”  Thereupon  she 
ate  some  of  it,  and  soon,  like  the  rest,  lost  her  human 
form,  and  ran  as  a donkey  round  the  court. 

Afterwards,  when  the  Huntsman  had  washed  his  face,  so 
that  the  changed  ones  might  recognise  him,  he  went  down 
into  the  court,  and  said  to  the  three,  “ How  you  shall 
be  rewarded  for  your  inconstancy  !”  He  bound  them  all 
three  together  with  a rope,  and  drove  them  away  to  a mill. 
There  he  knocked  at  the  window,  arid  the  Miller,  putting 
his  head  out,  asked  him  what  his  wishes  were.  “ I have 
three  unruly  animals  here,”  he  said,  “ whom  I cannot  keep 
any  longer.  Will  you  take  them  of  me,  and  give  them 
food  and  work,  and  treat  them  as  I will  tell  you ; because, 
if  so,  you  shall  have  what  you  wish  for  so  doing  ?” 

“Why  not?”  replied  the  Miller;  “but  how  shall  I treat 
them?”  The  Huntsman  told  him  that  the  old  donkey, 
which  was  the  Witch,  must  be  given  daily  three  beatings 
and  one  meal  only ; that  the  youngest,  which  was  the  Ser- 
vant, should  receive  one  beating  and  three  meals ; but  the 
other,  which  was  the  Maiden,  no  blows,  but  three  meals ; 
for  he  could  not  make  up  his  mind  to  cause  her  pain. 
Thereupon  the  Huntsman  returned  to  the  castle,  in  which 
he  found  all  that  he  wanted.  After  three  days  came  the 
Miller,  and  told  him  he  wished  to  mention  that  the  donkey 
for  whom  he  had  ordered  only  one  meal  and  three  beatings 
was  dead.  “ The  two  others,”  he  said  further,  “ are  certain- 
ly not  dead,  for  they  eat  their  three  meals  a day,  but  they 
are  so  weak  and  ill  they  cannot  last  very  long.”  At  this 
relation  the  Huntsman  pitied  the  poor  beasts,  and  told  the 
Miller  to  drive  them  up  again.  As  soon  as  they  came  he 
gave  them  a piece  of  the  good  cabbage  to  eat,  and  in  a few 
minutes  their  human  form  returned.  Then  the  beautiful 
Maiden  fell  on  her  knees  before  him,  and  said,  “ Oh,  my 
dear  Huntsman,  pardon  me  for  the  wrong  I did  you,  for  it 
was  not  of  my  own  free  will,  but  because  my  mother  com- 


Tiie  Donkey  Cabbages. 


171 


pelled  me,  that  I acted  so;  then  and  now  I love  you  with, 
my  whole  heart.  Your  wisning-cloak  hangs  in  yon  closet, 
and  the  heart  of  the  bird  I will  bring  to  you  again.” 

When  she  had  thus  spoken  the  Huntsman  pardoned 
her  freely,  and  begged  her  to  keep  the  heart,  for  he  meant 
to  make  her  his  bride.  Soon  afterwards  the  marriage  was 
performed,  and  they  lived  happily  together  to  the  end  of 
their  lives. 


cxxv. 


Little  One-Eye,  Little  Two-Eyes,  and 

Little  Three-Eyes. 


NCE  upon  a time  there  was  a Woman  who  had  three 


daughters,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  named  One-Eye, 
because  she  had  but  a single  eye,  and  that  placed  in  the 
middle  of  her  forehead;  the  second  was  called  Two-Eyes, 
because  she  was  like  other  mortals ; and  the  third  Three- 
•Eyes,  because  she  had  three  eyes,  and  one  of  them  in  the 
centre  of  her  forehead,  like  her  eldest  sister.  But,  because 
the  second  sister  had  nothing  out  of  the  common  in  her 
appearance,  she  was  looked  down  upon  by  her  sisters,  and 
despised  by  her  mother.  “ You  are  no  better  than  common 
folks,”  they  would  say  to  her;  “you  do  not  belong  to  us;” 
and  then  they  would  push  her  about,  give  her  coarse  cloth- 
ing, and  nothing  else  to  eat  but  their  leavings,  besides 
numerous  other  insults  as  occasion  offered. 

Once  it  happened  that  Two-Eyes  had  to  go  into  the 
forest  to  tend  the  goat ; and  she  went  very  hungry,  because 
her  sisters  had  given  her  very  little  to  eat  that  morning. 
She  sat  down  upon  a hillock,  and  cried  so  much  that  her 
tears  flowed  almost  like  rivers  out  of  her  eyes ! By-and-by 
she  looked  up,  and  saw  a Woman  standing  by  her,  who 
asked,  “Why  are  you  weeping,  Two-Eyes?”  “Because  I 
have  two  eyes  like  ordinary  people,”  replied  the  maiden, 
“and  therefore  my  mother  and  sisters  dislike  me,  push 
me  into  corners,  throw  me  their  old  clothes,  and  give  me 
nothing  to  eat  but  what  they  leave.  To-day  they  have 
given  me  so  little  that  I am  still  hungry.”  “Dry  your 
eyes,  then,  now,”  said  the  wise  Woman;  “I  will  tell  you 


173 


Little  One-Eye,  etc. 

something  which  shall  prevent  you  from  being  hungry 
again.  You  must  say  to  your  goat: — 

‘ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  appear !’ 

and  immediately  a nicely-filled  table  will  stand  before  you, 
with  delicate  food  upon  it,  of  which  you  can  eat  as  much 
as  you  please.  And  when  you  are  satisfied,  and  have  done 
with  the  table,  you  must  say: — 

‘ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  depart !’ 

and  it  will  disappear  directly.”  With  these  words  the  wise 
Woman  went  away,  and  little  Two-Eyes  thought  to  her- 
self she  would  try  at  once  if  what  the  Woman  said  were 
true,  for  she  felt  very  hungry  indeed: — 

“ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  appear !” 

said  the  maiden,  and  immediately  a table  covered  with  a 
white  cloth  stood  before  her,  with  a knife  and  fork,  and 
silver  spoon ; and  the  most  delicate  dishes  were  ranged  in 
order  upon  it,  and  everything  as  warm  as  if  they  had  been 
just  taken  away  from  the  fire.  Two- Eyes  said  a short 
grace,  and  then  began  to  eat;  and  when  she  had  finished 
she  pronounced  the  words  which  the  wise  Woman  had 
told  her : — 

“ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  depart!” 

and  directly  the  table,  and  all  that  was  on  it,  quickly 
disappeared.  “ This  is  capital  housekeeping,”  said  the 
maiden  in  high  glee  ; and  at  evening  she  went  home  with 
her  goat,  and  found  an  earthen  dish  which  her  sisters  had 
left  her  filled  with  their  pickings.  She  did  not  touch  it ; 
and  the  next  morning  she  went  off  again  without  taking 
the  meagre -breakfast  which  was  left  out  for  her.  The  first 
and  second  time  she  did  this  the  sisters  thought  nothing 


174 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


of  it ; but  when  she  did  the  same  the  third  morning  their 
attention  was  roused,  and  they  said,  “ All  is  not  right  with 
Two-Eyes;  for  she  has  left  her  meals  twice,  and  has 
touched  nothing  of  what  was  left  for  her ; she  must  have 
found  some  other  way  of  living.”  So  they  determined 
that  One- Eye  should  go  with  the  maiden  when  she  drove 
the  goat  to  the  meadow,  and  pay  attention  to  what  passed, 
and  observe  whether  any  one  brought  her  to  eat  or  to  drink. 

When  Two-Eyes,  therefore,  was  about  to  set  off,  One- 
Eye  told  her  she  was  going  with  her  to  see  whether  she 
took  proper  care  of  the  goat  and  fed  her  sufficiently.  Two- 
Eyes,  however,  divined  her  sister’s  object,  and  drove  the 
goat  where  the  grass  was  finest,  and  then  said,  “ Come, 
One-Eye,  let  us  sit  down,  and  I will  sing  to  you.”  So 
One-Eye  sat  down,  for  she  was  quite  tired  with  her  un- 
usual walk,  and  the  heat  of  the  sun. 

“ Are  you  awake  6r  asleep,  One-Eye  ? 

Are  you  awake  or  asleep  ?” 

sang  Two-Eyes,  until  her  sister  really  went  to  sleep.  As 
soon  as  she  was  quite  sound  the  maiden  had  her  table  out, 
and  ate  and  drank  all  she  needed ; and  by  the  time  One- 
Eye  awoke  again  the  table  had  disappeared,  and  the  maiden 
said  to  her  sister,  “ Come,  we  will  go  home  now;  while  you 
have  been  sleeping  the  goat  might  have  run  about  all  over 
the  world  !”■  So  they  went  home,  and,  after  Two-Eyes  had 
left  her  meal  untouched,  the  mother  inquired  of  One-Eye 
what  she  had  seen,  and  she  was  obliged  to  confess  that  she 
had  been  asleep. 

The  following  morning  the  mother  told  Three-Eyes 
that  she  must  go  out  and  watch  Two-Eyes,  and  see  who 
brought  her  food,  for  it  was  certain  that  some  one  must. 
So  Three-Eyes  told  her  sister  that  she  was  going  to  accom- 
pany her  that  morning  to  see  if  she  took  care  of  the  goat 
and  fed  her  well ; but  Two-Eyes  saw  through  her  design, 


Little  One-Eye,  etc. 


175 


and  drove  the  goat  again  to  the  best  feeding-place.  Then 
she  asked  her  sister  to  sit  down  and  she  would  sing  to  her, 
and  Three-Ejes  did  so,  for  she  was  very  tired  with  her 
long  walk  in  the  heat  of  the  sun.  Then  Two-Eyes  began 
to  sing  as  before  : — 

“ Are  you  awake,  Three-Eyes !” 

but,  instead  of  continuing  as  she  should  have  done, 

“ Are  you  asleep,  Three-Eyes  ?” 

she  said  by  mistake, 

“ Are  you  asleep,  TW-Eyes  J” 

and  so  went  on  singing  : — 

“ Are  you  awake,  Three-Eyes  ? 

Are  you  asleep,  Two-Eyes  ?” 

By-and-by  Three-Eyes  closed  two  of  her  eyes,  and  went  to 
sleep  with  them ; but  the  third  eye,  which  was  not  spoken 
to,  kept  open.  Three-Eyes,  however,  cunningly  shut  it 
too,  and  feigned  to  be  asleep,  while  she  was  really  watch- 
ing ; and  soon  Two-Eyes,  thinking  all  safe,  repeated  the 
words : — 

“ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  appeal-  P 

and  as  soon  as  she  was  satisfied  she  said  the  old  words : — 

“ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  depart !” 

Three- Eyes  watched  all  these  proceedings ; and  presently 
Two-Eyes  came  and  awoke  her,  saying,  “ Ah,  sister!  you. 
are  a good  watcher;  but  come,  let  us  go  home  now.” 
When  they  reached  home  Two-Eyes  again  ate  nothing; 
and  her  sister  told  her  mother  she  knew  now  why  the 
haughty  hussy  would  not  eat  their  victuals.  “ When  she 
is  out  in  the  meadow,”  said  her  sister,  “ she  says, 


176 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


‘ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  appeal- 1’ 

and  directly  a table  comes  up  laid  out  with,  meat  and  wine, 
and  everything  of  the  best,  much  better  than  we  have ; 
and  as  soon  as  she  has  had  enough  she  says, 

‘ Little  kid,  milk 
Table,  depart !’ 

and  all  goes  away  directly,  as  I clearly  saw.  Certainly  she 
did  put  to  sleep  two  of  my  eyes;  but  the  one  in  the  middle 
of  my  forehead  luckily  kept  awake !” 

“ Will  you  have  better  things  than  us  ?”  cried  the  en- 
vious mother  ; “ then  you  shall  lose  the  chance and,  so 
saying,  she  took  a carving-knife  and  killed  the  goat  dead. 

As  soon  as  Two-Eyes  saw  this  she  went  out  very  sor- 
rowful to  the  old  spot  and  sat  down  where  she  had  sat 
before  to  weep  bitterly.  All  at  once  the  wise  Woman 
stood  in  front  of  her  again,  and  asked  why  she  was  crying? 
“ Must  I not  cry,”  replied  she,  “when  the  goat  which  used 
to  furnish  me  every  day  with  a dinner,  according  to.your 
promise,  has  been  killed  by  my  mother,  and  I am  again 
suffering  hunger  and  thirst?”  “Two-Eyes,”  said  the  wise 
AWunan,  “I  will  give  you  a piece  of  advice.  Beg  your 
sisters  to  give  you  the  entrails  of  the  goat,  and  bury  them 
in  the  earth  before  the  house-door,  and  your  fortune  will 
be  made.”  So  saying,  she  disappeared ; and  Two-Eyes 
went  home,  and  said  to  her  sisters,  “ Dear  sisters,  do  give 
me  some  part  of  the  slain  kid  ; I desire  nothing  else ; let 
me  have  the  entrails.”  The  sisters  laughed,  and  readily 
gave  them  to  her  ; and  she  buried  them  secretly  before  the 
threshold  of  the  door,  as  the  wise  Woman  had  bidden  her. 

The  following  morning  they  found  in  front  of  the  house 
a wonderfully  beautiful  tree,  with  leaves  of  silver  and  fruits 
of  gold  hanging  from  the  boughs,  than  which  nothing  more 
splendid  could  be  seen  in  the  world.  The  two  elder  sisters 


Little  One-Eye,  etc. 


177 


were  quite  ignorant  how  the  tree  came  where  it  stood ; but 
Two-Ejes  perceived  that  it  was  produced  by  the  goat’s  en- 
trails, for  it  stood  on  the  exact  spot  where  she  had  buried 
them.  As  soon  as  the  mother  saw  it  she  told  One-Eye  to 
break  off  some  of  the  fruit.  One-Eye  went  up  to  the  tree, 
and  pulled  a bough  towards  her,  to  pluck  off  the  fruit;  but 
the  bough  flew  back  again  directly  out  of  her  hands  ; and 
so  it  did  every  time  she  took  hold  of  it,  till  she  was  forced 
to  give  up,  for  she  could  not  obtain  a single  golden  apple 
in  spite  of  all  her  endeavouars.  Then  the  Mother  said  to 
Three-Eyes,  “Do  you  climb  up,  for  you  can  see  better 
with  your  three  eyes  than  your  sister  with  her  one.”  Three- 
Eyes,  however,  was  not  more  fortunate  than  her  sister,  for 
the  golden  apples  flew  back  as  soon  as  she  touched  them. 
At  last  the  mother  got  so  impatient  that  she  climbed  the 
tree  herself;  but  she  met  with  no  more  success  than  either 
of  her  daughters,  and  grasped  the  air  only  when  she  thought 
she  had  the  fruit.  Two-Eyes  now  thought  she  would  try, 
and  said  to  her  sisters,  “Let  me  get  up  ; perhaps  I may  be 
successful.”  “ Oh  ! you  are  very  likely,  indeed,”  said  they, 
“ with  your  two  eyes  ; you  will  see  well,  no  doubt !”  So 
Two-Eyes  climbed  the  tree,  and  directly  she  touched  the 
boughs  the  golden  apples  fell  into  her  hands,  so  that  she 
plucked  them  as  fast  as  she  could,  and  filled  her  apron  be- 
fore she  went  down.  Her  mother  took  them  of  her,  but 
returned  her  no  thanks ; and  the  two  sisters,  instead  of 
treating  Two-Eyes  better  than  they  had  done,  were  only 
the  more  envious  of  her,  because  she  alone  could  gather 
the  fruits — in  fact,  they  treated  her  worse. 

One  morning,  not  long  after  the  springing  up  of  the 
apple-tree,  the  three  sisters  were  all  standing  together  be- 
neath it,  when  in  the  distance  a young  Knight  was  seen 
riding  towards  them.  “ Make  haste,  Two-Eyes  !”  exclaim- 
ed the  two  elder  sisters,  “ make  haste  and  creep  out  of  our 
way,  that  we  may  not  be  ashamed  of  you ;”  and  so  saying, 

VOL.  II. — 8* 


178 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


they  put  over  her  in  great  haste  an  empty  cask  which 
stood  near,  and  which  covered  the  golden  apples  as  well, 
which  she  had  just  been  plucking  off.  Soon  the  Knight 
came  up  to  the  tree,  and  the  sisters  saw  he  was  a very 
handsome  man,  for  he  stopped  to  admire  the  fine  silver 
leaves  and  golden  fruit,  and  presently  asked  to  whom  the 
tree  belonged,  for  he  should  like  to  have  a branch  off  it. 
One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes  replied  that  the  tree  belonged  to 
them  ; and  they  tried  to  pluck  a branch  off  for  the  Knight. 
They  had  their  trouble  for  nothing,  however ; for  the 
boughs  and  fruits  flew  back  as  soon  as  they  touched 
them.  “ This  is  very  wonderful,”  cried  the  Knight,  “ that 
this  tree  should  belong  to  you,  and  yet  you  cannot  pluck 
the  fruit !”  The  sisters,  however,  maintained  that  it  was 
theirs ; but  while  they  spoke  Two-Eyes  rolled  a golden 
apple  from  underneath  the  cask,  so  that  it  travelled  to  the 
feet  of  the  Knight,  for  she  was  angry  because  her  elder 
sisters  had  not  spoken  the  truth.  When  he  saw  the  apple 
he  was  astonished,  and  asked  where  it  came  from,  and 
One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes  said  they  had  another  sister,  but 
they  dared  not  let  her  be  seen,  because  she  had  only  two 
eyes,  like  common  folk ! The  Knight,  however,  would 
see  her,  and  called,  “ Two-Eyes,  come  here !”  and  soon  she 
made  her  appearance  from  under  the  cask.  The  Knight 
was  bewildered  at  her  great  beauty,  and  said,  “You,  Two- 
Eyes,  can  surely  break  off  a bough  of  this  tree  for  me  ?” 
“Yes,”  she  replied,  “that  I will,  for  it  is  my  property;” 
and,  climbing  up,  she  easily  broke  off  a branch  with  silver 
leaves  and  golden  fruit,  which  she  handed  to  the  Knight. 
“ What  can  I give  you  in  return,  Two-Eyes  ?”  asked  the 
Knight.  “Alas!  if  you  will  take  me  with  you  I shall  be 
happy,  for  now  I suffer  hunger  and  thirst,  and  am  in 
trouble  and  grief  from  early  morning  to  late  evening : take 
me,  and  save  me !”  Thereupon  the  Knight  raised  Two- 
Eyes  upon  his  saddle,  and  took  her  home  to  his  father’s 


Little  One-Eye,  etc. 


179 


castle.  There  he  gave  her  beautiful  clothes,  and  all  she 
wished  for  to  eat  or  to  drink  ; and  afterwards,  because  his 
love  for  her  had  become  so  great,  he  married  her,  and  a 
very  happy  wedding  they  had. 

Her  two  sisters  meanwhile  were  very  jealous  when 
Two-Eyes  was  carried  off  by  the  Knight ; but  they  con- 
soled themselves  by  saying,  “ The  wonderful  tree  remains 
still  for  us ; and,  even  if  we  cannot  get  at  the  fruit,  every- 
body that  passes  will  stop  to  look  at  it,  and  then  come  and 
praise  it  to’us.  Who  knows  where  our  wheat  may  bloom !:’ 
The  morning  after  this  speech,  however,  the  tree  disap- 
peared, and  with  it  all  their  hopes ; but,  when  Two-Eyes 
that  same  day  looked  out  of  her  chamber  window,  behold, 
the  tree  stood  before  it,  and  there  remained  ! 

For  a long  time  after  this  occurrence  Two-Eyes  lived  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  greatest  happiness;  and  one  morning 
two  poor  women  came  to  the  palace  and  begged  an  alms. 
Two-Eyes,  after  looking  narrowly  at  their  faces,  recognised 
her  two  sisters  One-Eye  and  Three-Eyes,  who  had  come  to 
such  great  poverty  that  they  were  forced  to  wander  about, 
begging  their  bread  from  day  to  day.  Two-Eves,  however, 
bade  them  welcome,  invited  them  in,  and  took  care  of 
them,  till  they  both  repented  of  the  evil  which  they  had 
done  to  their  sister  in  the  days  of  their  childhood. 


CXXYI. 


The  Fair  Catherine  and  Pif-paf 

Poltrie. 


GOOD-DAY,  Father  Hollenthe.  How  do  you  do?” 
“Very  well,  I thank  you,  Pif-paf  Poltrie.”  “May  I 
marry  your  daughter?”  “Oh  yes!  if  the  mother  Malcho 
(Milk-Cow),  the  brother  Hohenstolz  (High  and  Mighty), 
the  sister  Kasetraut  (Cheesemaker),  and  the  fair  Catherine 
are  willing,  it  may  be  so.” 

“Where  is,  then,  the  mother  Malcho?” 

“In  the  stable,  milking  the  cow.” 

“ Good-day,  mother  Malcho.  How  do  you  do?”  “Very 
well,  I thank  you,  Pif-paf  Poltrie.”  “ May  I marry  your 
daughter?”  “Oh  yes!  if  the  father  Hollenthe,  the  brother 
Hohenstolz,  the  sister  Kasetraut,  and  the  fair  Catherine  are 
willing,  it  may  be  so.” 

“ Where  is,  then,  the  brother  Hohenstolz  ?” 

“ In  the  yard,  chopping  up  the  wood.” 

“Good-day,  brother  Hohenstolz.  How  are  you?” 
“Yery  well,  I thank  you,  Pif-paf  Poltrie.”  “May  I 
marry  your  sister  ?”  “ Oh  yes ! if  the  father  Hollenthe, 

the  mother  Malcho,  the  sister  Kasetraut,  and  the  fair 
Catherine  are  willing,  it  may  be  so.” 

“Where  is,  then,  the  sister  Kasetraut?” 

“ In  the  garden,  cutting  the  cabbages.” 

0/0  o 

“ Good-day,  sister  Kasetraut.  How  do  you  do  ?” 
“ Yery  well,  I thank  you,  Pif-paf  Poltrie.”  “ May  I 
marry  your  sister?”  “Oh  yes!  if  the  father  Hollenthe, 
the  mother  Malcho,  the  brother  Hohenstolz,  and  the  fair 
Catherine  are  willing,  it  may  be  so.” 

“Where  is,  then,  the  fair  Catherine?” 


The  Fair  Catherine  and  Pif-paf  Poltrie.  181 

“In  her  chamber,  counting  out  her  pennies.” 

“ Good-day,  fair  Catherine.  How  do  you  do  ?”  “ Yery 

well,  I thank  you,  Pif-paf  Poltrie?”  “Will  you  be  my 
bride?”  “Oh  yes!  if  the  father  Hollenthe,  the  mother 
Malcho,  the  brother  Hohenstolz,  and  the  sister  Kasetraut 
are  willing,  so  am  I.” 

“ How  much  money  have  you,  fair  Catherine  ?” 

“Fourteen  pennies  in  bare  money,  two  and  a half 
farthings  owing  to  me,  lialf-a-pound  of  dried  apples,  a 
handful  of  prunes,  and  a handful  of  roots ; and  don’t  you 
call  that  a capital  dowry  ?” 

“Pif-paf  Poltrie,  what  trade  are  you  ? are  you  a tailor?” 
“Better  still!”  “A  shoemaker?”  “Better  still!”  “A 
ploughman  ?”  “ Better  still !”  “ A joiner  ?”  “ Better 

still!”  “A  smith?”  “ Better  still !”  “A  miller?”  “Bet- 
ter still!”  “Perhaps  a broom-binder?”  “Yes,  so  ami; 
now,  is  not  that  a pretty  trade  ?” 


Q. 


CXXVII. 


The  Fox  and  the  Horse. 


nnHERE  was  once  a Farmer  who  had  a Horse  which 
served  him  faithfully  till  he  was  too  old  to  work  any 
longer,  and  then  his  master  would  not  give  him  anything 
to  eat,  but  said,  “ I cannot  really  find  any  use  for  you  now, 
but  still  I mean  you  well,  and  so,  if  you  will  show  your- 
self strong  enough  to  bring  home  a Lion,  I will  requite 
you ; but  now  you  must  make  yourself  scarce  in  this 
stable!”  So  saying,  the  Farmer  drove  the  poor  horse 
out ; and  he  went  with  drooping  head  towards  the  forest 
to  shelter  himself  there  from  the  weather.  In  among  the 
trees  he  met  a Fox,  who  asked  why  he  looked  so  careworn 
and  walked  so  downcast. 

“Alas!”  said  the  Horse,  “avarice  and  fidelity. dwell 
not  in  the  same  house  together : my  master  has  forgotten 
all  the  services  which  I have  rendered  him  for  so  many 
years,  and,  because  I am  unable  now  to  work  any  longer, 
he  will  not  give  me  any  fodder,  but  has  driven  me  out  of 
the  stable.” 

“Without  any  hope?”  inquired  the  Fox. 

“ The  hope  is  poor,”  replied  the  Horse ; “ he  said  that 
if  I were  strong  enough  to  bring  him  back  a Lion  he  would 
receive  me ; but  he  knows  well  enough  I cannot  do  that.” 

“Then  I will  help  you,”  replied  the  Fox;  “now  lay 
down  and  stretch  yourself  out,  and  do  not  stir,  so  that  you 
may  appear  dead.” 

The  Horse,  accordingly,  did  as  he  was  bid,  and  the  Fox 
went  to  the  Lion,  whose  den  was  not  very  far  off,  and  said 
to  him,  “Near  here  lies  a dead  Horse;  come  with  me  and 
you  may  make  a capital  meal.”  The  Lion  accompanied 


The  Fox  and  the  Horse. 


183 


the  Fox,  and  when  they  came  to  the  Horse  the  Fox  said, 
“ Hist ! listen  to  what  I am  about  to  say ; you  can  have 
this  at  your  convenience ; I will  bind  it  to  you  by  the  tail 
and  you  shall  then  drag  it  away  to  your  den,  and  devour 
it  at  your  leisure.”  This  advice  pleased  the  Lion,  and,  in 
order  that  the  Fox  might  knot  the  Horse’s  tail  fast  to  him, 
he  stood  with  his  back  towards  it  quite  still.  The  Fox, 
however,  cunningly  tied  the  Lion’s  legs  together  with  the 
hairs  of  the  Horse’s  tail,  and  pulled  and  knotted  all  so 
carefully  that  no  strength  could  have  divided  it.  As  soon 
as  his  work  was  finished  the  Fox  tapped  the  Horse  on  the 
shoulder,  and  cried,  “Drag,  my  friend,  drag!”  The  Horse 
jumped  up  at  once  and  drew  the  Lion  away  with  him. 
The  beast  soon  began  to  roar,  so  that  all  the  birds  in  the 
forest  flew  away  for  terror,  but  the  Horse  let  him  roar 
while  he  quietly  dragged  him  to  his  master’s  door.  How, 
when  the  Farmer  saw  this  proof  of  the  fidelity  of  his 
Horse,  he  thought  better  of  his  former  resolution,  and  said 
to  the  faithful  animal,  “You  shall  remain  with  me  now, 
and  live  at  your  ease.”  And  so  the  good  Horse  had  good 
meals  and  good  treatment  till  he  died. 


CXXYIII. 


The  Six  Servants. 


LONG  time  ago  lived  an  old  Queen,  who  was  also  an 


enchantress ; and  her  daughter  was  the  most  beautiful 
creature  under  the  sun.  But  the  old  woman  was  ever 
thinking  how  to  entice  men,  in  order  to  kill  them,  and 
every  suitor,  therefore,  who  came  was  compelled,  before  he 
could  marry  the  daughter,  to  answer  a riddle  which  the 
Queen  proposed,  and  which  was  always  so  puzzling  that 
it  could  not  be  solved;  and  the  unfortunate  lover  was 
thereupon  forced  to  kneel  down  and  have  his  head  struck 
off.  Many  and  many  a poor  youth  had  been  thus  de- 
stroyed, for  the  maiden  was  very  pretty ; and  still  another 
King’s  son  was  found  who  made  up  his  mind  to  brave  the 
danger.  He  had  heard  of  the  great  beauty  of  the  Princess, 
and  he  prayed  his  father  to  let  him  go  and,  win  her. 
“Never!”  replied  the  King,  “if  you  go  away,  you  go  to 
die!”  At  this  answer  the  son  felt  very  ill,  and  so  con- 
tinued for  seven  years  nigh  unto  death’s  door,'  for  no 
physician  could  do  him  any  good.  At  last,  when  the  old 
King  sa\v  all  hope  was  gone,  he  said  to  his  son,  “ Go  now 
and  try  your  fortune,  for  I know  not  how  else  to  restore 
you !”  As  soon  as  the  Prince  heard  the  word  he  jumped 
up  from  his  bed,  and  felt  new  strength  and  vigour  return 
to  him  while  he  made  ready  for  his  journey. 

Soon  he  set  off,  and  as  he  rode  along  across  a common 
he  saw  at  a distance  something  lying  on  the  ground  like  a 
bundle  of  hay ; but,  as  he  approached  nearer,  he  discovered 
that  it  Avas  a Man  who  had  stretched  himself  on  the  earth, 
and  was  as  big  as  a little  hill ! The  fellow  waited  till  the 


The  Six  Servants. 


185 


Prince  came  up,  and  then  said  to  him,  rising  as  he  spoke, 
“ If  you  need  any  one  take  me  into  your  service  !” 

“ What  shall  I do  with  such  an  uncouth  fellow  as  you?” 
asked  the  Prince. 

“ That  matters  not,”  replied  the  Man,  “ were  I a thou- 
sand times  as  clumsy,  if  I can  render  you  a service.” 

“ Very  well,  perhaps  I shall  need  you,”  said  the  Prince  ; 
“come  with  me.”  So  Fatty  accompanied  his  new  master, 
and  presently  they  met  with  another  Man,  who  was  also 
lying  on  the  ground,  with  his  ear  close  to  the  grass.  “ What 
are  you  doing  there  ?”  asked  the  Prince. . 

“ I am  listening,”  he  replied. 

“And  to  what  are  you  listening  so  attentively?”  pur- 
sued the  Prince. 

‘ I am  listening  to  what  is  going  on  in  the  world 
around,”  said  the  Man,  “ for  nothing  escapes  my  hearing  ; 
I can  even  hear  the  grass  growing.” 

“Tell  me,  then,”  said  the  Prince,  “ tell  me  what  is  pass- 
ing at  the  court  of  the  old  Queen  who  has  such  a beautiful 
daughter.” 

“ I hear,”  replied  the  Man,  “ the  whistling  of  the 
sword  which  is  about  to  cut  off  the  head  of  an  unsuccess- 
ful wooer.” 

“ Follow  me,  I can  find  a use  for  you,”  said  the  Prince 
to  the  Listener  ; and  so  the  three  now  journeyed  together. 
Presently  they  came  to  a spot  where  were  lying  two  feet 
and  part  of  two  legs,  but  they  could  not  see  the  continua- 
tion of  them  till  they  had  walked  a good  stretch  further, 
and  then  they  came  to  the  body,  and  at  length  to  the  head. 

“ Halloa!”  cried  the  Prince;  “what  a length  you  are  !” 

“ Oh  !”  replied  Long-Legs,  “ not  so  much  of  that!  why, 
if  I stretch  my  limbs  out  as  far  as  I can,  I am  a thousand 
times  as  long,  and  taller  than  the  highest  mountain  on  the 
earth ; but,  if  you  will  take  me,  I am  ready  to  serve  you.” 

The  Prince  accepted  his  offer,  and,  as  they  went  along, , 


186 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


they  came  to  a man  who  had  his  eyes  bandaged  up.  “Have 
you  blood-shot  eyes,”  inquired  the  Prince,  “ that  you  bind 
your  eyes  up  in  that  way  ?” 

“ No  !”  replied  the  Man  ; “ but  I dare  not  take  away 
the  bandage,  for  whatever  I look  at  splits  in  two,  so  power- 
ful is  my  sight ; nevertheless,  if  I am  of  use,  I will  accom- 
pany you.” 

Thereupon  the  Prince  accepted  also  the  services  of  this 
Man ; and,  as  they  went  on,  they  found  another  fellow, 
who,  although  he  was  lying  on  the  ground  in  the  scorching 
heat  of  the  sun,  trembled  and  shivered  so  that  not  a limb 
in  his  body  stood  still.  “What  makes  you  freeze,  when 
the  sun  shines  like  this?”  asked  the  Prince. 

“Alas ! my  nature  is  quite  different  from  anything  else!” 
replied  the  Man  ; “ the  hotter  it  is  the  .polder  I feel,  and 
the  frost  penetrates  all  my  bones ; while  the  colder  it  is 
the  hotter  I feel ; so  that  I cannot  touch  ice  for  the  heat  of 
my  body,  nor  yet  go  near  the  fire  for  fear  I should  freeze 
it!” 

“ You  are  a wonderful  fellow  !”  said  the  Prince ; “ come 
with  me,  and  perhaps  I may  need  you.”  So  the  Man  fol- 
lowed with  the  rest  ; and  they  came  next  to  a Man  who 
was  stretching  his  neck  to  such  a length  that  he  could  see 
over  all  the  neighbouring  hills.  “ What  are  you  looking 
at  so  eagerly  ?”  asked  the  Prince. 

“ I have  such  clear  eyes,”  replied  the  Man,  “ that  I can 
see  over  all  the  forests,  fields,  valleys,  and  hills ; in  fact, 
quite  round  the  world  !” 

“ Come  with  me,  then,”  said  the  Prince,  “ for  I have 
need  of  a companion  like  you.” 

The  Prince  now  pursued  his  way  with  his  six  servants 
to  the  city  where  the  old  Queen  dwelt.  AYhen  he  arrived 
he  would  not  tell  his  name,  but  told  the  Witch  if  she  would 
give  him  her  daughter  he  would  do  all  she  desired.  The 
v old  Enchantress  was  delighted  to  have  such  a handsome 


The  Six  Servants. 


187 


young  man  fall  into  her  clutches,  and  told  him  she  would 
set  him  three  tasks,  and,  if  he  performed  them  all,  the 
Princess  should  become  his  wife. 

“ What  is  the  first,  then?”  asked  the  Prince. 

“ You  must  fetch  for  me  a ring  which  I have  let  fall  into 
the  Red  Sea,”  said  the  Queen.  Then  the  Prince  returned 
home  to  his  servants,  and  said  to  them,  “ The  first  task  is 
no  easy  one ; it  is  to  fetch  a ring  out  of  the  Red  Sea ; but 
let  us  consult  together.”  , 

“I  will  see  where  it  lies,”  said  he  with  the  clear  eyes ; 
and,  looking  down  into  the  water,  he  continued,  “ there  it 
hangs  on  a pointed  stone!” 

“ If  I could  but  see  it  I would  fetch  it  up,”  said  Long- 
Arms.  “ Is  that  all  ?”  said  Fatty,  and,  lying  down  on  the 
bank,  he  held  his  mouth  open  to  the  water  and  the  stream 
ran  in  as  if  into  a pit,  till  at  length  the  whole  sea  was  as 
dry  as  a meadow.  Long- Arms,  thereupon,  bent  down  a 
little,  and  fetched  out  the  ring,  to  the  great  joy  of  the 
Prince,  who  carried  it  to  the  old  Witch.  She  was  mightily 
astonished,  but  confessed  it  was  the  right  ring.  “ The  first 
task  you  have  performed,  happily,”  she  said;  “but  now 
comes  the  second.  Do  you  see  those  three  hundred  oxen 
grazing  on  the  meadows  before  my  palace ; all  those  you 
must  consume,  flesh,  bones,  and  skins,  and  horns  ; then  in 
my  cellar  are  three  hundred  casks  of  wine,  which  must  all 
be  drunk  out  by  you ; and  if  you  leave  a single  hair  of 
any  of  the  oxen,  or  one  drop  of  the  wine  you  will  lose 
your  life.” 

“May  I invite  any  guests  to  the  banquet,”  asked  the 
Prince,  “ for  no  dinner  is  worth  having  without  ?”  The  old 
Woman  smiled  grimly,  but  told  him  he  might  have  one 
guest  for  company,  but  no  more. 

Thereupon  the  Prince  returned  again  to  his  servants, 
and  told  them  what  the  task  was ; and  then  he  invited 
Fatty  to  be  his  guest.  He  came,  and  quickly  consumed 


188 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  three  hundred  oxen,  flesh  and  bones,  skin  and  horns, 
while  he  made  as  if  it  were  only  a good  breakfast.  Next 
he  drank  all  the  wine  out  of  every  cask,  without  so  much 
as  using  a glass,  but  draining  them  all  to  the  very  dregs. 
As  soon  as  the  meal  was  over  the  Prince  went  and  told  the 
Queen  he  had  performed  the  second  task.  She  was  much 
astonished,  and  said  no  one  had  ever  before  got  so  far  as 
that ; but  she  determined  that  the  Prince  should  not  escape 
her,  for  she  felt  confident  he  would  lose  his  head  about  the 
third  task.  “ This  evening,”  said  she,  “ I will  bring  my 
daughter  into  your  room,  and  you  shall  hold  her  round 
with  one  arm  ; but  mind  you  do  not  fall  asleep  while  you 
sit  there,  for  at  twelve  o’clock  I shall  come,  and  if  my 
daughter  is  not  with  you  then  you  are  lost.”  “ This  task 
is  easy,”  thought  the  Prince  to  himself ; “ I shall  certainly 
keep  my  eyes  open.”  Still  he  called  his  servants  together, 
and  told  them  what  the  old  woman  had  said.  “Who 
knows,”  said  he,  “ what  craftiness  may  be  behind  ? foresight 
is  necessary ; do  you  keep  watch,  that  nobody  passes  out 
of  the  chamber  during  the  night.” 

As  soon  as  night  came  the  old  Queen  brought  the 
Princess  to  the  Prince,  and  then  Long- Arms  coiled  himself 
in  a circle  round  the  pair,  and  Fatty  placed  himself  in  the 
doorway,  so  that  not  a living  soul  could  enter  the  room. 
So  there  the  two  sat,  and  the  maiden  spoke  not  a word,  but 
the  moon  shone  through  the  window  upon  her  face,  so  that 
the  Prince  could  see  her  great  beauty.  He  did  nothing  but 
look  at  her,  was  full  of  happiness  and  love,  and  felt  no 
weariness  at  all.  This  lasted  till  eleven  o’clock,  and  then 
the  old  Witch  threw  a charm  over  all,  so  that  they  fell 
fast  asleep,  and  at  the  same  moment  the  maiden  was  car- 
ried off. 

Till  a quarter  to  twelve  the  three  slept  soundly,  but 
then  the  charm  lost  its  strength,  and  they  all  awoke  again. 
“ Oh,  what  a terrible  misfortune  !”  cried  the  Prince  as  soon 


The  Six  Servants. 


189 


as  he  awoke,  “ I am  lost !”  The  faithful  servants  also  began 
to  complain ; but  the  Listener  said,  “ Be  quiet  and  I will 
hear  where  she  is !”  He  listened  a moment,  and  then  said, 
“ The  Princess  is  sitting  three  hundred  miles  from  hence, 
inside  a cave,  bewailing  her  fate.  You  alone  can  help  us, 
Long- Arms ; if  you  set  to  the  task  you  will  be  there  in  a 
couple  of  strides.”  “ Certainly  !”  said  Long- Arms  ; “ but 
Sharp-Eyes  must  also  go  with  us  to  pierce  the  rock.”  Then 
he  hoisted  Sharp-E}Tes  upon  his  back,  and  in  a moment, 
while  one  could  scarcely  turn  his  hand  round,  they  were 
before  the  enchanted  rock.  Immediately  Sharp-Eyes  re- 
moved his  bandage,  and,  looking  round,  the  rocky  cave 
was  shattered  into  a thousand  pieces.  Then  Long- Arms 
took  the  Princess  out  of  the  ruins  and  carried  her  home  first, 
and,  immediately  returning  for  his  companion,  they  were 
all  seated,  rejoicing  at  their  fortunate  escape,  before  the 
clock  struck  twelve. 

As  soon  as  it  did  strike,  the  old  Enchantress  slipped 
into  the  room,  smiling  horribly,  for  she  thought  her  daughter 
was  safe  enough  in  the  rocky  cave,  and  the  Prince  was 
hers.  But  when  she  perceived  her  daughter  in  the  arms 
of  the  Prince  she  was  terrified,  and  exclaimed,  “Here  is 
one  who  can-  do  more  than  I can  1”  She  dared  not,  how- 
ever, deny  her  promise,  and  the  maiden  was  therefore 
betrothed  to  the  Prince.  But  the  old  woman  whispered  in 
her  daughter’s  ear,  “ Shame  upon  you  that  you  listened  to 
common  folks,  and  dared  not  to  choose  a husband  after 
your  own  wishes  1” 

With  these  words  the  proud  heart  of  the  Princess  was 
inflamed,  and  she  thought  of  revenge ; and  accordingly,  the 
following  day,  she  caused  three  hundred  bundles  of  faggots 
to  be  heaped  together,  and  then  said  to  the  Prince,  “ The 
three  tasks  were  soon  performed ; but  still  I will  not  marry 
you  until  some  one  shall  be  found  who  will  sit  upon  the 
fire  of  these  faggots  and  endure  it.”  She  thought  none  of 


190 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


his  servants  would  be  burnt  for  their  master ; and  so  that, 
because  out  of  love  for  her,  he  would  himself  sit  upon  the 
pile,  she  would  be  freed  from  him.  But  the  servants  said 
that  Frosty  had  done  nothing  as  yet,  though  they  all  had, 
and  so  they  placed  him  on  the  top  of  the  pile  of  wood. 
The  fire  was  immediately  kindled  and  burnt  for  three  days, 
until  all  the  wood  was  consumed;  but,  when  the  flames 
ceased,  there  stood  Frosty  in  the  midst  of  the  ashes,  shiver- 
ing like  an  aspen-leaf,  and  declaring  that  he  never  before 
experienced  such  a frost,  and  must  have  perished  if  it  had 
longer  continued ! 

After  this  no  further  excuse  could  be  made,  and  the 
beautiful  Princess  was  obliged  to  take  the  unknown  stran- 
ger as  her  husband.  But  just  as  they  were  going  to  church 
the  old  Queen  declared  again  that  she  could  not  bear  the 
shame,  and  she  sent  her  guards  after  the  wedding  party 
with  orders,  at  all  risks,  to  bring  back  her  daughter.  The 
Listener,  however,  had  kept  his  ears  open,  and  he  discov- 
ered the  secret  designs  of  the  old  Witch.  “ What  shall  we 
do  ?”  asked  he  of  Fatty ; but  the  latter  was  equal  to  the 
occasion,  and,  spitting  behind  him  once  or  twice  a drop  or 
two  of  the  sea-water  which  he  had  formerly  drunk,  there 
was  formed  a great  lake,  in  which  the  Queen’s  guards  were 
caught  and  drowned.  The  Queen  as  soon  as  she  saw  this 
catastrophe  despatched  her  mounted  guards ; but  the  List- 
ener heard  the  rattlings  of  their  trappings,  and  unbound 
the  eyes  of  their  fellow-servant,  whose  look,  as  soon  as  he 
directed  it  upon  the  approaching  enemy,  shivered  them 
like  glass.  The  bridal  party  now  passed  on  undisturbed ; 
and,  as  soon  as  the  blessing  had  been  pronounced  over  the 
new  married  pair,  the  six  servants  took  their  leave,  saying 
to  their  former  master,  “Your  wishes  are  fulfilled,  and  you 
no  longer  require  us ; we  will  therefore  journey  on  and  seek 
our  fortunes  elsewhere.” 

How,  about  half  a mile  from  the  Queen’s  palace  was  a 


The  Six  Servants. 


191 


village  before  which  a swineherd  was  tending  his  drove  of 
pigs;  and,  as  the  Prince  and  Princess  passed  bj  it,  the 
former  said  to  his  wife,  “ Do  you  know  who  I really  am  ? 
I am  no  King’s  son,  but  a swineherd,  and  this  man  here 
with  this  drove  is  my  father ; we  two  must  therefore  get 
out  and  assist  him !”  So  saying,  he  dismounted  with  her 
from  the  carriage,  and  they  went  together  into  the  inn ; 
and  he  ordered  the  host  to  carry  away  secretly  during  the 
night  the  royal  clothes  belonging  to  his  wife.  Accordingly, 
when  morning  came,  the  poor  Princess  had  nothing  to 
wear ; but  the  hostess  gave  her  an  old  gown  and  a pair  of 
old  slippers,  and  of  these  things  made  a great  favour,  tell- 
ing her  that  she  certainly  would  not  have  lent  them  to  her 
had  not  her  husband  begged  for  them ! 

The  Princess  now  began  really  to  believe  that  her  hus- 
band was  a swineherd,  and  with  him  she  tended  the  drove, 
and  thought  it  was  a punishment  for  her  pride  and  ambi- 
tion. This  continued  for  eight  days,  and  then  she  could 
bear  it  no  longer,  for  her  feet  were  wounded  all  over.  Just 
at  that  time  two  persons  came  to  her,  and  asked  if  she  knew 
who  her  husband  was.  “Yes,  he  is  a swineherd,”  she  re- 
plied, “and  is  just  now  gone  to  drive  a little  trade  with  a 
few  ribands  and  laces.” 

“ Come  with  us  now,  and  we  will  take  you  to  him,” 
said  the  two  strangers  to  the  Princess ; and  they  took  her 
into  the  palace,  where  her  husband  stood  arrayed  in  his 
royal  robes  in  the  great  hall.  She  did  not,  however,  re- 
cognise him  until  he  fell  on  her  neck,  and  said  to  her, 
“ I have  suffered  so  much  for  you  that  it  was  only  right 
that  you  should  also  suffer  for  me !”  and  with  these  words 
he  kissed  her  lovingly.  Soon  afterwards  their  wedding, 
was  celebrated  writh  due  form,  and  with  so  much  grandeur 
that  I who  tell  this  story  would  like  to  have  been  there 
to  see ! 


CXXIX. 


The  Old  Woman  in  the  Wood. 


NCE  upon  a time  a poor  Servant  Girl  was  travelling 


with  her  boxes  through  a wood,  and  just  as  she  got  to 
the  middle  of  it  she  found  herself  in  the  power  of  a mur- 
dering band  of  robbers.  All  at  once  they  sprang  out  of 
the  brushwood,  and  came  towards  her ; but  she  jumped  out 
of  her  cart  in  terror,  and  hid  herself  behind  a tree.  As 
soon  as  the  robbers  had  disappeared  with  their  booty  she 
came  from  her  hiding-place,  and  saw  her  great  misfortune. 
She  began  to  cry  bitterly,  and  said  to  herself,  “ What  shall 
I do  now,  a poor  girl  like  me ; I cannot  find  my  way  out 
of  the  wood ; nobody  lives  here,  and  I must  perish  with 
hunger.”  She  looked  about  for  a road,  but  could  not  find 
one  ; and  when  evening  came  she  sat  down  under  a tree, 
and  commending  herself  to  God,  determined  to  remain 
where  she  was,  whatever  might  happen.  She  had  not  sat 
there  a long  while  before  a little  White  Pigeon  came  flying 
towards  her,  carrying  in  his  beak  a small  golden  key.  The 
bird  put  the  key  into  the  Girl’s  hand,  and  said,  “ Do  you 
see  yon  great  tree?  within  it  is  a cupboard,  which  is  opened 
with  this  key,  and  there  you  will  find  food  enough,  so  that 
you  need  not  suffer  hunger  any  longer.”  The  Girl  went 
to  the  tree,  and  unlocking  it,  found  pure  milk  in  a jug,  and 
white  bread  fit  to  break  into  it ; and  of  these  she  made  a 
good  meal.  When  she  had  finished,  she  said  to  herself, 
“ At  home  now  the  cocks  and  hens  are  gone  to  roost,  and  I 
am  so  tired  I should'  like  to  go  to  bed  myself.  In  a mo- 
ment the  Pigeon  flew  up,  bringing  another  gold  key  in  his 
bill,  and  said,  “ Do  you  see  yon  tree  ? open  it  and  you  will 
find  a bed  within !”  She  opened  it,  and  there  stood  the 


The  Old  Woman  in  the  Wood. 


193 


little  white  bed  ; and,  after  saying  her  prayers  and  asking 
God’s  protection  during  the  night,  she  went  to  sleep.  In 
the  morning  the  Pigeon  came  for  the  third  time,  bringing 
another  key,  with  which  he  told  the  Girl  to  open  a certain 
tree,  and  there  she  would  find  plenty  of  clothes.  When 
she  did  so,  she  found  dresses  of  all  kinds  ornamented  with 
gold  and  precious  stones,  as  beautiful  as  any  princess  could 
desire.  And  here  in  this  spot  the  maiden  dwelt  for  a 
time ; while  the  Pigeon  every  day  brought  her  what  she 
needed;  and  it  was  a very  quiet  and  peaceful  life. 

One  day,  however,  the  Pigeon  came  and  asked  the 
Maiden  whether  she  would  do  an  act  of  love  for  him. 
“With  all  my  heart,”  was  her  reply.  “I  wish  you  then,” 
said  the  Pigeon,  “ to  come  with  me  to  a little  cottage,  and 
to  go  into  it,  and  there  on  the  hearth  you  will  see  an  old 
Woman,  who  will  say  ‘ Good  day !’  But  for  my  sake  give 
her  no  answer,  let  her  do  what  she  will;  but  go  past  her 
right  hand,  and  you  will  see  a door  which  you  must  open, 
and  pass  into  a room,  where  upon  a table  will  lie  a number 
of  rings  of  all  descriptions,  and  among  them  several  with 
glittering  stones;  but  leave  them  alone,  and  look  out  a 
plain  one  which  will  be  there,  and  bring  it  to  me  as  quickly 
as  possible.” 

The  Maiden  thereupon  went  to  the  cottage,  and  stepped 
in;  and  there  sat  an  old  Woman  who  made  a great  face 
when  she  saw  her,  but  said,  “ Good  day,  my  child  1”  The 
Maiden  made  no  answer,  but  went  towards  the  door. 
“Whither  are  you  going?”  cried  the  old  Woman,  “that 
is  my  house,  and  nobody  shall  enter  it  unless  I do  wish !” 
and  she  tried  to  detain  the  Maiden  by  catching  hold  of  her 
dress.  But  she  silently  loosened  herself,  and  went  into  the 
room,  and  saw  the  heap  of  rings  upon  the  table,  which 
glittered  and  shone  before  her  eyes.  She  threw  them  aside 
and  searched  for  the  plain  ring,  but  could  not  find  it ; and 
while  she  searched  she  saw  the  old  Woman  slip  in  and 

VOL.  II. — 9 R 


194 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


take  up  a bird-cage,  with  which  she  made  off.  So  the 
Maid  pursued  her,  and  took  the  bird-cage  away  from  her. 
As  she  looked  at  it  she  saw  the  ring  in  the  bill  of  the  bird 
which  was  in  it.  She  took  the  ring  and  ran  home,  joyfully 
expecting  the  White  Pigeon  would  come  and  fetch  the 
ring,  but  he  did  not.  So  she  leaned  herself  back  against 
her  tree  and  waited  for  the  bird ; but  presently  the  tree 
became  as  it  were  weak  and  yielding,  and  its  branches 
began  to  droop.  All  at  once  the  boughs  bent  round,  and 
became  two  arms;  and  as  the  Maiden  turned  round,  the 
tree  became  a handsome  man,  who  embraced  and  kissed 
her,  saying,  “ You  have  saved  me  out  of  the  power  of  the 
old  Woman,  who  is  an  evil  witch.  She  changed  me  into 
a tree  a long  while  ago,  and  every  day  I became  a White 
Pigeon  for  a couple  of  hours ; but  so  long  as  she  had  pos- 
session of  the  ring  I could  not  regain  my  human  form.” 
Thereupon  his  servants  and  horses  recovered  also  from  the 
enchantment,  for  they  likewise  had  been  changed  into 
trees;  and  once  more  they  accompanied  their  master  to 
his  kingdom  (for  he  was  a King’s  son,)  and  there  he  mar- 
ried the  Maiden,  and  they  lived  happily  ever  afterwards. 


The  White  and  the  Black  Bride. 


ONE  fine  day  a Woman,  accompanied  by  ber  Daughter 
and  Step-daughter,  were  walking  over  the  fields  in 
search  of  food.  Presently  they  met  a poor  Man,  who  asked 
them,  “ Which  is  the  way  to  the  village?”  “If  you  want 
to  know,” 'replied  the  Mother,  “find  it  yourself!”  and  her 
Daughter  continued,  “ If  you  have  a mind  to  go  right,  you 
had  better  take  a guide  with  you  !”  But  the  Step-daughter 
said,  “ Poor  man  ! I will  show  you ; come  with  me.” 

Thereupon  the  Beggar,  who  was  an  Angel  in  disguise, 
turned  his  back  upon  the  Mother  and  Daughter,  and  wished 
they  might  become  as  black  as  night  and  as  ugly  as  owls. 
But  to  the  other  poor  Girl  the  Angel  was  kind,  and  went 
with  her  till  they  approached  the  village,  when  he  gave 
her  a blessing,  and  said,  “ Choose  now  three  things,  and 
they  shall  be  given  you.”  “ I would  wish,  then,  to  be  as 
beautiful  and  spotless  as  the  sun and,  as  she  spoke,  her 
skin  became  as  white  and  fair  as  a sunbeam.  “I  would 
like  next  to  have  a purse  of  money  which  should  never  be 
empty  !”  and  this  also  the  Angel  gave  her,  saying,  “Forget 
not  what  is  best.”  “For  the  third  thing,”  said  the  Maiden, 
“I  desire  to  inherit  a place  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  after 
my  death.”  This  also  was  promised,  and  then  the  good 
Angel  disappeared. 

By-and-by  the  Stepmother  and  Daughter  returned 
home ; but  as  soon  as  they  perceived  their  own  black 
skins  and  ugly  faces,  and  saw  the  pureness  and  brightness 
of  the  other  Girl’s  face,  evil  thoughts  entered  their  hearts, 
and  they  thought  how  they  could  injure  her.  Now  the 
Girl  had  a brother,  Reginald,  whom  she  loved  very  dearly, 


196 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


and  to  him  she  told  all  that  had  happened.  “ Dear  sister,” 
said  he  to  her,  “ I will  paint  jour  portrait,  that  I may  al- 
ways have  you  before  me  ; for  my  love  for  you  is  so  great 
I wish  never  to  part  with  you.”  “ Then  let  no  one  ever 
see  it,  I beg  you,”  said  the  Sister.  So  he  painted  the  por- 
trait, and  hung  it  up  in  his  room  at  the  royal  palace,  for  he 
was  Coachman  to  the  King;  and  every  day  he  used  to 
stand  before  it  and  bless  God  for  his  goodness  to  his  Sister. 
Just  at  that  time,  however,  the  King,  his  master,  had  lost 
his  wife,  who  was  such  a beautiful  woman  that  nobody  had 
ever  yet  seen  her  equal ; and  the  King  was  ccfrisequently 
in  Very  deep  grief.  How,  the  Coachman’s  fellow-servants 
had  remarked  how  he  was  accustomed  every  day  to  stand 
before  a certain  picture,  and  they  grew  jealous  of  him,  and 
mentioned  it  to  the  King.  The  King  ordered  the  portrait 
to  be  brought  to  him ; and  when  he  saw  the  likeness  to  his 
dear  wife,  only  the  Girl  was  still  more  beautiful,  his  sorrows 
broke  out  afresh.  He  summoned  the  Coachman,  and  asked 
whom  the  picture  represented  ; and  when  his  servant  told 
him  it  was  his  Sister,  he  determined  to  make  her  his  bride ; 
and,  giving  the  Coachman  a carriage  and  horses  and  beau- 
tiful clothes,  he  sent  him  away  to  fetch  his  Sister.  As  soon 
,s  Reginald  arrived  with  his  message  his  Sister  rejoiced; 
but  the  black  one  was  jealous  at  the  other’s  good  fortune, 
vexed  herself  above  measure,  and  said  to  her  Mother,  “ Of 
what  use  now  are  all  our  arts,  since  they  have  never 
brought  me  such  a luck  as  this?”  “Be  quiet!”  said  the 
old  Woman;  “I  will  turn  it  to  you;”  and  then,  through 
her  witchcraft,  she  caused  a half-blindness  to  come  over  the 
Coachman’s  eyes,  and  took  away  the  hearing  of  her  white 
Daughter-in-law.  After  this  they  got  into  the  carriage  to- 
gether; first  the  Bride,  in  her  beautiful  princely  robes, 
and  then  the  Stepmother  with  her  Daughter,  while  Regi- 
nald sat  on  the  box  to  drive.  When  they  had  gone  a short 
distance  the  Coachman  said, 


The  White  and  the  Black  Bride. 


197 


“ Now  cover  yourself,  my  sister  dear, 

That  the  wind  may  not  come  too  near,  too  near  ! 

That  the  rain  may  not  against  you  beat, 

And  make  you  unfit  the  King  to  greet !” 

“ What  does  mj  dear  brother  say  ?”  asked  the  Bride. 
“ Oh,”  said  the  old  Mother,  “ he  says  you  are  to  take  off 
your  fine  golden  dress  and  give  it  to  your  sister.”  She 
drew  it  off  as  she  was  bid  and  gave  it  to  her  Sister,  receiv- 
ing in  exchange  an  old  grey  cloak.  Then  they  drove  on, 
and  presently  the  Coachman  sang  again, 

' “Now  cover  yourself,  my  sister  dear, 

That  the  wind  may  not  come  too  near,  too  near ! 

That  the  rain  may  not  against  you  beat, 

And  make  you  unfit  the  Bang  to  meet !” 

“What  does  my  dear  brother  say?”  asked  the  Bride 
again.  “He  says,”  said  the  old  Woman,  “that  you  must 
take  off  your  golden  hood,  and  give  it  to  your  Sister  1” 
The  Bride  therefore  handed  it  to  her  without  a word,  and 
placed  it  on  her  black  hair,  and  presently  the  Coachman 
sang  the  same  words  a third  time, 

“ Now  cover  yourself,  my  sister  dear, 

That  the  wind  may  not  come  too  near,  too  near ! 

That  the  fain  may  not  against  you  beat, 

And  make  you  unfit  the  Kiug  to  greet !” 

The  Bride  asked  once  more,  “What  does  my  brother 
say  this  time  ?”  “ Alas  !”  cried  the  old  Stepmother,  “ he 
told  you  to  look  out  of  the  carriage  and  see  the  palace  in 
the  distance.”  Just  as  she  spoke  they  were  passing  over  a 
bridge  under  which  ran  a deep  river;  and  so  when  the 
Bride  stood  up  to  look  out  her  Mother  and  Sister  pushed 
her  out  of  the  carriage,  and  she  fell  into  the  water.  At 
the  same. moment  that  she  sank  a snow-white  Swan  made 
its  appearance  on  the  surface  of  the  stream,  and  swam 
down  it.  But  of  all  these  proceedings  the  Brother  had 
observed  and  known  nothing  till  he  had  driven  up  to  the 


198 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


palace.  There  he  took  the  black  Sister  to  the  King,  and 
presented  her  as  the  original  of  his  portrait,  for  he  really 
thought  she  was  so  because  his  eyes  could  see  nothing  but 
the  glitter  of  the  golden  dress.  But  the  King  was  terribly 
enraged  when  he  saw  the  ugliness  of  his  proposed  bride, 
and  he  ordered  the  Coachman  to  be  flung  into  a pit  full  of 
vipers  and  snakes.  The  old  Witch,  however,  contrived  to 
deceive  the  King,  and  blinded  his  eyes  so  much  through 
her  arts,  that  he  received  her  and  her  black  Daughter,  and 
at  length  was  really  married  to  the  latter. 

One  evening  afterwards,  when  the  black  Bride  was 
sitting  on  the  King’s  lap,  a white  Swan  came  to  the  gutter 
in  the  kitchen,  and,  swimming  in,  said  to  the  Cookmaid, 

“ Make  a good  fire,  I pray,  I pray, 

That  I my  feathers  may  dry  !” 

So  the  maid  made  up  a roaring  fire  on  the  hearth,  and 
the  Swan  placed  herself  before  it,  and  smoothed  her  feathers 
down  with  her  bill.  While  she  did  so,  she  asked, 

“ What  does  my  brother  Reginald  ?” 

The  Cookmaid  answered, 

“He  lies  buried  in  the  ground, 

With  vipers  all  around  !” 

Then  the  Swan  asked, 

“ What  does  the  black  Witch  in  this  house  ?” 

And  the  Cookmaid  answered, 

“ She  sits  by  the  fire  as  still  as  a mouse  !” 

“ Heaven  have  mercy  upon  her !” 

cried  the  Swan,  and  thereupon  swam  out  of  the  gutter- 
hole.  But  the  following  night  she  came  again  and  asked 
the  same  questions,  and  also  the  third  night,  and  after  that 
the  Kitchenmaid  could  keep  the  matter  to  herself  no  longer, 


The  White  and  the  Black  Bride.  199 

and  therefore  went  and  told  the  King  everything.  The 
King,  however,  wished  to  see  the  truth  of  the  tale  for  him- 
self, and  so  he  watched  the  fourth  evening,  and  when  the 
Swan  stretched  its  neck  through  the  gutter-hole  he  raised 
his  sword  and  cut  off  the  bird’s  head.  Immediately  the 
Swan  was  changed  into  a beautiful  Maiden,  and  she  ap- 
peared exactly  like  the  portrait  which  her  Brother  had 
painted  of  her.  The  King  thereupon  was  greatly  rejoiced, 
and  ordered  princely  clothes  to  be  brought  to  the  Maiden, 
in  which  she  arrayed  herself.  Then  she  told  the  King  how 
she  had  been  betrayed  by  stratagem  and  cunning,  and  had 
been  thrown  into  the  river,  where  she  had  received  the 
form  of  a Swan.  When  she  had  told  all  this,  she  begged, 
as  the  first  favour,  that  her  Brother  should  be  released 
from  the  vipers’  pit;  and,  as  soon  as  the  King  had  done 
that,  he  went  into  the  chamber  of  the  old  Witch,  a.nd  asked 
her  what  such  a person  would  deserve  who  should  do  such 
things,  and  told  her  the  tale  which  the  Princess  had  just 
related.  Now,  the  old  Witch  was  so  blind  that  she  did 
not  perceive  what  was  behind,  and  replied  that  such  an 
one  would  deserve  to  be  placed  in  a cask  stuck  all  over 
with  nails,  and  then  drawn  by  a horse,  which  should  be 
harnessed  to  it,  all  through  the  streets.  But  in  saying  this 
she  had  pronounced  her  own  fate,  for  the  King  ordered 
her  to  be  so  treated,  together  with  her  Daughter.  After- 
wards the  King  married  the  beautiful  white  Bride,  and 
rewarded  the  faithful  Brother,  whom  he  placed  in  a situa- 
tion of  power  and  influence. 


CXXXI. 

The  Man  of  Iron. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a King  who  possessed  a 
great  wood  which  lay  behind  his  castle,  and_  wherein 
it  was  his  pleasure  to  hunt.  One  day  it  happened  that 
one  of  his  huntsmen  who  had  gone  into  this  wood  in  the 
morning  did  not  return  as  usual.  The  next  day,  therefore, 
the  King  despatched  two  others  to  seek  him ; but  they 
likewise  never  reappeared ; and  so  the  King  then  ordered 
all  his  huntsmen  to  make  themselves  ready  to  scour  the 
whole  forest  in  search  of  their  missing  companions.  But, 
after  they  had  set  out,  not  one  of  them  ever  returned  again, 
nor  even  a single  dog  out  of  the  whole  pack  that  accom- 
panied them.  After  this  occurrence  an  edict  was  issued 
that  nobody  should  venture  into  the  forest ; and  from  that 
day  a profound  stillness  and  deep  solitude  crept  over  the 
whole  forest,  and  one  saw  nothing  but  owls  or  eagles  which 
now  and  then  flew  out.  This  lasted  a long  time,  till  once 
came  a strange  Huntsman  to  the  King,  and,  beggiug  an 
audience,  said  he  was  ready  to  go  into  the  dangerous  forest. 
The  King  would  not  at  first  give  his  consent,  saying,  “I 
am  afraid  it  will  fare  no  better  with  you  than  with  the 
others,  and  that  you  will  never  return but  the  Hunts- 
man replied,  “ I will  dare  the  danger,  for  I know  nothing 
of  fear.” 

Thereupon  the  Huntsman  entered  the  forest  with  his 
dog,  and  in  a few  minutes  the  hound  espying  a wild  animal 
on  the  road  pursued  it ; but  it  had  scarcely  gone  a couple 
of  yards  before  it  fell  into  a deep  pool,  out  of  which  a 
naked  arm  stretched  itself,  and  catching  the  dog  drew  it 
down  beneath  the  water.  As  soon  as  the  Huntsman  saw 


The  Man  of  Iron. 


201 


this  he  went  back  and  fetched  three  men  who  came  with 
pails  to  bale  out  the  water.  When  they  came  to  the  bottom 
they  found  a Wild  Man,  whose  body  was  brown  like  rusty 
iron,  and  his  hair  hung  over  his  face  down  to  his  knees. 
They  bound  him  with  cords  and  led  him  away  to  the  King, 
who  caused  an  immense  iron  cage  to  be  fixed  in  the  court- 
yard, and  forbade  any  one  on  pain  of  death  to  open  the 
door  of  the  cage,  of  which  the  Queen  had  to  keep  the  key 
in  her  charge.  After  this  time  anybody  could  go  with 
safety  into  the  forest. 

Now,  the  King  had  a son  eight  years  old,  who  was  once 
playing  in  the  courtyard,  and  during  his  play  his  ball 
accidentally  rolled  into  the  iron  cage.  He  ran  up  to  it  and 
demanded  his  ball  of  the  prisoner.  “ Not  till  you  open  my 
door,”  replied  the  Man.  “No,  that  I cannot,”  said  the 
Boy,  “for  my  father  the  King  has  forbidden  it;”  and  so 
saying  he  ran  away.  But  the  next  morning  he  came  again 
and  demanded  his  golden  ball.  “ Open  my  door,”  said  the 
Wild  Man;  but  the  Boy  refused.  The  third  morning  the 
King  went  out  a hunting ; and  presently  the  Boy  went 
again  to  the  cage,  and  said,  “ Even  if  I would  open  the 
door,  I have  not  got  the  key  to  do  it.”  “ It  lies  under 
your  mother’s  pillow,”  said  the  Wild  Man,  “and  you  can 
get  it  if  you  like.”  So  the  Boy,  casting  all  other  thoughts 
to  the  winds  but  his  wish  to  have  his  ball,  ran  and  fetched 
the  key.  The  door  swung  heavily,  and  the  boy  jammed 
his  finger;  but  soon  it  opened,  and  the  Wild  Man,  giving 
him  the  golden  ball,  stepped  out  and  hurried  off.  At  this 
« the  Boy  became  alarmed,  and  cried,  and  called  after  the 
Man,  “Wild  Man,  do  not  go  away  or  I shall  be  beaten!” 
The  Man  turned  round,  and,  raising  the  boy  up,  set  him 
upon  his  shoulders  and  walked  into  the  forest  with  hasty 
strides.  As  soon  afterwards  the  King  returned,  he  re- 
marked the  empty  cage,  and  asked  the  Queen  what  had 
happened.  'She  called  her  Boy,  but  no  one  answered,  and 

VOL.  II. — 9* 


202 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  King  sent  out  people  over  the  fields  to  search  for  him ; 
but  they  returned  empty-handed.  Then  be  easily  guessed 
what  had  really  happened,  and  great  grief  was  shown  at 
the  royal  court. 

Meanwhile,  as  soon  as  the  Wild  Man  had  reached  his 
old  haunts,  he  set  the  Boy  down  off  his  shoulders,  and  said 
to  him,  “Your  father  and  mother  you  will  never  see  again; 
but  I will  keep  you  with  me,  for  you  delivered  me,  and 
therefore  I pity  you.  If  you  do  all  that  I tell  you,  you 
will  be  well  treated,  for  I have  enough  treasure  and 
money ; in  fact,  more  than  any  one  else  in  the  world.” 
That  evening  the  Iron  Man  let  the  Boy  sleep  on  some 
moss,  and  the  next  morning  he  took  him  to  the  pool,  and 
said,  “ See  you,  this  golden  water  is  bright  and  clear  as 
crystal ; hereby  you  must  sit,  and  watch  that  nothing  falls 
into  it,  or  it  will  be  dishonoured.  Every  evening  I will 
come,  and  see  if  you  have  obeyed  my  commands.”  So  the 
Boy  sat  down  on  the  bank  of  the  pool ; but  by-and-by, 
while  he  watched,  such  a sudden  pain  seized  one  of  his 
fingers  that  he  plunged  it  into  the  water  to  cool  it.  He 
quickly  drew  it  out  again;  but  lo ! .it  was  quite  golden, 
and  in  spite  of  all  his  pains  he  could  not  rub  off  the  gold 
-gain.  In  the  evening  came  the  Iron  Man,  and,  after  look- 
ing at  the  Boy,  he  asked,  “ What  has  happened  to  my 
pool?”  “ Hothing,  nothing!”  replied  the  Boy,  holding 
his  finger  behind  him,  that  it  might  not  be  seen.  But  the 
Man  said,  “You  have  dipped  your  finger  into  the  water; 
this  time,  however,  I will  overlook  it,  only  take  care  it 
does  not  happen  again.” 

The  next  day  the  Boy  resumed  his  post  at  the  first 
daybreak;  but  in  the  course  of  a little  while  his  finger 
ached  again,  and  this  time  he  put  it  to  his  head,  and  un- 
luckily pulled  off  a hair  which  fell  into  the  water.  He 
took  it  out  again  very  quickly ; but  it  had  changed  into 
gold,  and  by-and-by  the  Iron  Man  returned,  already  con- 


The  Man  of  Ikon. 


203 


scious  of  what  had  occurred.  “You  have  let  a hair  fall 
into  the  pool,”  he  said  to  the  boj;  “ but  once  more  I will 
overlook  jour  fault,  only  if  it  happens  again  the  pool  will 
be  dishonoured,  and  you  can  remain  with  me  no  longer.” 

The  Boy  took  his  usual  seat  again  on  the  third  morn- 
ing, and  did  not  once  move  his  finger,  in  spite  of  the  pain. 
The  time,  however,  passed  so  slowly  that  he  fell  to  looking 
at  his  face  reflected  in  the  mirror  of  the  waters,  and,  while 
he  bent  down  to  do  so,  his  long  hair  fell  down  from  his 
shoulders  into  the  pool.  In  a great  hurry  he  raised  his 
head  again ; but  already  his  locks  were  turned  to  gold,  and 
shone  in  the  sun.  You  may  imagine  how  frightened  the 
poor  Boy  was ! He  took  his  pocket-handkerchief  and 
bound  it  round  his  head,  'so  that  no  one  might  see  his 
hair;  but  as  soon  as  the  Iron  Man  returned  he  said  to 
him,  “Untie  your  handkerchief!”  for  he  knew  what  had 
happened.  Then  the  golden  hair  fell  down  on  the  Boy’s 
shoulders,  and  he  tried  to  excuse  himself,  but  in  vain. 
“You  have  not  stood  the  proof,”  said  the  Iron  Man,  “and 
must  remain  here  no  longer.  Go  forth  into  the  world,  and 
there  you  will  see  how  poverty  fares ; but  because  your 
».  heart  is  innocent,  and  I mean  well  towards  you,  I will 
grant  you  this  one  favour — when  you  are  in  trouble  come 
to  this  forest,  call  my  name,  and  I will  come  out  and  help 
you.  My  power  is  great,  and  I have  gold  and  silver  in 
abundance.” 

So  the  young  Prince  'had  to  leave  the  forest,  and  trav- 
elled over  many  rough  and  smooth  roads  till  he  came  at 
length  to  a large  town.  There  he  sought  work,  but  with- 
out success,  for  he  had  learnt  nothing  which  was  of  use, 
and  at  last  he  went  to  the  King’s  palace  itself  and  inquired 
if  they  could  take  him  in.  The  court  servants  were  un- 
aware of  any  vacancy  which  he  could  fill,  but  because  he 
seemed  well  favoured  they  allowed  him  to  remain.  Soon 
afterwards  the  Cook  took  him  into  his  service,  and  told 


204 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


him  lie  might  fetch  wood  and  water  for  the  fire  and  sweep 
up  the  ashes.  One  day,  however,  as  no  one  else  was  at 
hand,  the  Prince  had  to  carry  in  a dish  for  the  royal  table, 
but,  because  he  would  not  allow  his  golden  hair  to  be  seen, 
he  entered  the  room  with  his  cap  on  his  head.  “If  you 
come  to  the  royal  table,”  exclaimed  the  King  when  he  saw 
him,  “you  must  pull  off  your  cap  !”  “ Ah  ! your  majesty,” 
replied  the  Prince,  “I  dare  not,  for  I have  a bad  disease 
on  my  head.”  Thereupon  the  King  ordered  the  Cook  into 
his  presence,  and  scolded  him  because  he  had  taken  such  a 
youth  into  his  service,  and  further  commanded  him  to 
discharge  him.  But  the  Cook  pitied  the  poor  lad  and 
changed  him  with  the  Gardener’s  Boy. 

Now,  the  Prince  had  to  plant  and  sow,  to  dig  and  chop, 
in  spite  of  all  weathers,  for  lie  must  bear  the  wind  and  rain. 
One  day  in  summer,  as  he  was  working  alone  in  the  garden, 
he  took  off  his  cap  to  cool  his  head  in  the  breeze,  and  the 
sun  shone  so  upon  his  hair  that  the  golden  locks  glittered, 
and  their  brightness  became  reflected  in  the  mirror  in  the 
chamber  of  the  King’s  daughter.  She  jumped  up  to  see 
what  it  was,  and,  perceiving  the  Gardener’s  Boy,  called 
him,  to  bring  her  a nosegay  of  flowers.  In  a great  hurry 
he  put  on  his  cap  and  plucked  some  wild  flowers,  which  he 
arranged  together.  But,  as  he  was  going  up  the  steps  with 
them  to  the  Princess,  the  Gardener  met  him,  and  said, 
“How  can  you  take  the  Princess  such  a nosegay  of  bad 
flowers?  go  back  and  fetch  the  rarest  and  most  beautiful.” 
“ Oh,  no !”  said  the  Boy,  “ the  wild  flowers  bloom  the 
longest  and  will  please  the  best.”  So  he  went  up  to  the 
chamber,  and  there  the  Princess  said  to  him,  “ Take  off 
your  cap ; it  is  not  becoming  of  you  to  wear  it  here !” 

The  Boy,  however,  replied  he  dared  not  remove  it, 
because  his  head  was  too  ugly  to  look  at,  but  she  seized 
his  cap  and  pulled  it  off,  and  his  golden  hair  fell  down 
over  his  shoulders,  most  beautiful  to  see.  The  Boy  would 


The  Man  of  Iron. 


205 


have  run  away,  but  the  Princess  detained  him  and  gave 
him  a handful  of  ducats.  Then  he  left  her  and  took  her 
money  to  the  Gardener,  whom  he  told  to  give  it  to  his 
children  to  play  with,  for  he  despised  money.  The  follow- 
ing day  the  Princess  called  him  again  to  give  her  a bou- 
quet of  wild  flowers,  and  when  he  entered  with  them  she 
snatched  again  at  his  cap,  but  this  time  he  held  it  fast  with 
both  hands,  and  would  not  let  it  go.  She  gave  him  still 
another  handful  of  ducats,  but  he  would  not  keep  them, 
but  gave  them  to  the  Gardener’s  children  for  playthings. 
The  third  day  it  was  just  the  same:  the  Princess  could  not 
get  his  cap  and  he  would  not  keep  her  ducats. 

Not  long  after  these  events  the  country  was  drawn  into 
a war,  and  the  King  collected  all  his  people,  for  he  knew 
not  whether  he  should  be  able  to  make  a stand  against  the 
enemy,  who  was  very  powerful,  and  led  an  immense  army. 
Amongst  others,  the  Gardener’s  Boy  asked  for  a horse, 
saying  he  was  grown  up  and  ready  to  take  his  part  in  the 
fight.  The  others,  however,  laughed  at  him,  and  said, 
“ When  we  are  gone  we  will  leave  behind  a horse  for 
you,  but  take  care  of  yourself!”  So,  as  soon  as  the  rest 
had  set  out,  the  young  Prince  went  into  the  stable,  and 
found  there  a horse  which  was  lame,  and  clicked  its  feet 
together.  Nevertheless,  he  mounted  it,  and  rode  away  to 
the  gloomy  forest;  and  as  soon  as  he  arrived  there  he 
called,  “ Iron  Man,  Iron  Man !”  in  such  a loud  voice  that 
the  trees  re-echoed  it.  Soon  the  wild  man  appeared,  and 
asked,  “What  do  you  desire?”  “I  desire  a strong  horse, 
for  I am  going  to  battle,”  said  the  Youth.  “That  you 
shall  have,  and  more  than  you  desire,”  said  the  Iron  Man-; 
and,  diving  in  among  the  trees,  a page  suddenly  made  his 
appearance,  holding  a horse  so  fiery  and  mettlesome  that 
he  was  scarcely  to  be  touched.  Behind  the  steed  followed 
a troop  of  warriors,  all  clad  in  iron,  with  swords  which 
glittered  in  the  sun.  The  Youth,  thereupon,  delivered  up 

s 


206 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


his  three-legged  horse  to  the  page,  and,  mounting  the  other, 
rode  off  at  the  head  of  his  troop.  Just  as  he  reached  the 
field  of  battle  he  found  the  greater  part  of  the  King’s 
army  already  slain,  and  the  rest  were  on  the  point  of 
yielding.  The  Youth,  therefore,  charged  at  once  with  his 
iron  troop,  like  a storm  of  hail,  against  the  enemy,  and 
the}r  cut  down  all  who  opposed  them.  The  enemy  turned 
and  fled,  but  the  young  Prince  pursued  and  cut  to  pieces 
all  the  fugitives,  so  that  not  one  man  was  left.  Then, 
instead  of  leading  his  troop  before  the  King,  he  rode  back 
with  them  to  the  forest,  and  summoned  the  Iron  Man. 
“ What  do  you  desire  now?”  he  inquired. 

“ Take  back  all  these  soldiers  and  your  steed,  and 
restore  me  my  three-legged  horse.”  All  this  was  done  as 
he  desired,  and  he  rode  home  on  his  limping  animal. 
When  the  King  arrived  afterwards,  his  Daughter  greeted 
him,  and  congratulated  him  on  his  victory.  “ I do  not 
deserve  it,”  he  said  ; “ the  victory  was  owing  to  a strange 
knight  who  came  to  our  aid  with  his  troop.”  His  Daughter 
inquired  then  who  he  was ; but  the  King  told  her  he  did 
not  know,  for  he  had  pursued  the  enemy  and  had  not 
returned  again.  The  Princess  afterwards  inquired  of  the 
Gardener  respecting  his  boy,  and  he  laughed,  and  said  he 
had  just  returned  home  on  his  three-legged  steed;  while 
the  others  had  laughed  at  him,  saying,  “ Here  comes  our 
Hop-a-da-hop !”  They  asked  also  behind  what  hedge  he 
had  hid  himself,  and  he  replied,  “I  have  done  the  best  I 
could,  and  without  me  you  would  have  fared  badly.”  And 
for  this  speech  the  poor  boy  was  still  more  mocked. 

Some  time  after  this  the  King  said  to  his  Daughter,  “ I 
will  cause  a great  festival  to  be  held,  which  shall  last  three 
days,  and  you  shall  throw  a golden  apple,  for  which  per- 
haps the  unknown  knight  will  contend.” 

As  soon  as  the  proclamation  was  made,  the  young 
Prince  went  to  the  forest,  and  called  for  the  Iron  Man. 


x. 


< 


TIIE  MAN  OF  IEON.  Vol.  II.  Page  207. 


The  Mast  of  Iron. 


207 


“What  do  you  desire?”  he  asked.  “That  I may  catch 
the  golden  apple !” 

“It  is  all  the  same  as  if  you  had  it  now,”  said  the  Iron 
Man ; “ but  you  shall  have  a red  suit  of  armour  for  the 
occasion,  and  ride  there  upon  a proud  fox-coloured  horse.” 

When  the  appointed  day  came,  the  youth  ranged  him- 
self along  with  the  other  knights,  and  was  not  recognised 
by  any  one.  Presently  the  Princess  stepped  forward  and 
threw  up  the  golden  apple,  which  nobody  could  catch  but 
the  Eed  Knight,  who  coursed  away  as  soon  as  he  obtained 
it.  The  second  day  the  Iron  Man  dressed'  the  youth  as  a 
White  Knight,  and  gave  him  a grey  horse ; and  again  he 
caught  the  apple,  and  he  alone.  The  King  was  angry 
when  the  Knight  ran  away  with  the  prize,  and  said, 
“ That  is  not  right ; he  must  appear  before  me  and  declare 
his  name.”  Then  he  ordered,  if  the  Knight  who  had 
caught  the  apple  did  not  return  the  next  day,  some  one 
should  pursue  him ; and,  if  he  would  not  return  willingly, 
cut  him  to  pieces.  The  third  day  the  Prince  received  from 
the  Iron  Man  a black  coat  of  armour  and  a black  steed,  and 
caught  again  the  apple  when  it  was  thrown.  When  he 
rode  away  the  King’s  people  pursued  him,  and  one  came 
so  near  him  that  he  wounded  the  Black  Knight  with  the 
point  of  his  sword.  Still  he  escaped  them ; but  his  horse 
jumped  so  violently  that  the  helmet  fell  off  the  Knight’s 
head,  and  his  golden  hair  was  seen.  The  knights  there- 
upon rode  back  and  told  the  King. 

The  day  following  these  sports  the  Princess  inquired 
of  the  Gardener  after  his  boy.  “ He  is  working  in  the 
garden,”  he  replied;  “the  wonderful  fellow  has  also  been 
to  the  festival,  and  yesterday  evening  he  returned  home 
and  gave  my  children  three  golden  apples  which  he  won 
there.”  When  the  King  knew  of  this,  he  caused  the 
Youth  to  be  brought  before  him,  and  he  appeared  as 
usual  with  his  cap  on  his  head.  But  the  Princess  went 


208 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


up  to  him  and  took  it  off ; and  then  his  golden  hair  fell 
down  over  his  shoulders,  and  he  appeared  so  handsome 
that  every  one  was  astonished.  “ Are  you  the  knight  who 
appeared  each  day  at  the  festival,  and  always  in  a different 
colour,  and  won  the  three  golden  apples?”  asked  the  King. 
“Yes!”  he  replied,  “and  these  are  the  apples;”  and,  so 
saying,  he  took  them  out  of  his  pocket  and  handed  them 
to  the  King.  “If  you  desire  any  other  proof,”  he  con- 
tinued, “ I will  show  you  the  wound  which  your  people 
gave  me  as  I rode  away ; but  I am  also  the  knight  who 
won  the  victory  for  you  over  your  enemy.” 

“If  you  can  do  such  deeds,”  said  the  King,  “you  are 
no  gardener’s  boy;  tell  me,  who  is  your  father?” 

“My  father  is  a mighty  King,  and  of  gold  I have  not 
only  my  desire,  but  more  even  than  can  be  imagined,”  said 
the  young  Prince. 

“I  own,”  said  the  King,  “that  I am  indebted  to  you  ; 
can  I do  anything  to  show  it  ?” 

“Yes,  if  you  give  me  your  daughter  to  wife!”  replied 
the  Youth.  The  Princess  thereupon  laughed,  and  said, 
“He  makes  no  roundabout  tale;  but  I saw  long  ago  that 
he  was  no  gardener’s  boy  from  his  golden  hair ;”  and  with 
these  words  she  went  and  kissed  him. 

By-and-by  the  wedding  was  celebrated,  and  to  it  came 
the  Prince’s  father  and  mother,  who  had  long  ago  given 
up  their  son  for  dead,  and  lost  all  hope  of  seeing  him 
again. 

While  they  sat  at  the  bridal  feast,  all  at  once  music 
was  heard,  and,  the  doors  opening,  a proud  King  entered, 
attended  by  a long  train.  He  went  up  to  the  young  Prince, 
and  embraced  him,  and  said,  “I  am  the  Iron  Man,  whom 
you  saved  from  his  wild  nature ; all  the  treasures  which 
belong  to  me  are  henceforth  your  property !” 


CXXXII. 

The  Three  Black  Princesses. 


OSTENDIEN  was  besieged  by  the  enemy,  and  he  would 
not  leave  the  town  until  he  received  sis  hundred 
dollars.  So  they  made  it  known  by  the  drummers  that 
whoever  could  get  them  together  should  be  Burgomaster. 
There  was  a poor  Fisherman  who  fished  in  the  sea  with  his 
Son,  and  the  enemy  came  and  took  his  son  prisoner,  and 
gave  him  six  hundred  dollars  for  him.  So  the  father  went 
and  gave  them  to  the  great  men  in  the  town ; and  the  en- 
emy marched  off,  and  the  Fisherman  became  Burgomaster. 
Then  it  was  cried  about  that  whoever  did  not  say  Mr.  Bur- 
gomaster should  be  hanged. 

The  Son  got  out  of  the  enemy’s  clutches  again,  and 
came  to  a great  forest  on  a high  mountain.  The  mountain 
opened,  and  he  went  into  a great  enchanted  castle,  wherein 
the  chairs,  tables,  and  benches  were  all  hung  with  black. 
There  came  three  Princesses,  who  were  dressed  all  in 
black,  and  only  had  a little  bit  of  white  on  their  faces ; 
they  told  him  not  to  be  afraid,  they  would  not  do  anything 
to  him,  and  that  he  could  release  them.  He  said  he  should 
be  glad  enough  to  do  so  if  he  only  knew  how  to  set  about 
it.  They  said  that  for  a whole  year  he  must  not  speak  to 
them,  nor  even  look  at  them : whatever  he  wanted  he  only 
had  to  ask  for,  and  when  they  might  answer  him  they 
would  do  so.  When  he  had  been  there  some  time,  he  said 
he  should  like  to  go  and  see  his  father.  So  they  said, 
“Very  well and  that  he  should  have  this  bag  of  gold,  and 
put  on  those  clothes,  and  must  be  back  again  in  eight  days. 

Then  he  was  lifted  up,  and  was  in  Ostendien  directly. 
He  could  not  find  his  father  any  more  in  the  fishing-hut, 


210  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

and  asked  the  people  where  the  poor  Fisherman  had  got 
to  ? but  they  told  him  he  must  not  say  that,  or  he  would 
come  to  the  gallows.  He  then  arrives  at  his  father’s,  and 
says,  “Fisherman,  how  did  you  come  to  that?”  Then  he 
answered,  “You  must  not  say  that;  for  if  the  great  men 
of  the  town  knew  it  you  would  come  to  the  gallows.”  But 
he  would  not  leave  off,  so  he  was  taken  to  the  gallows ; 
and  when  he  got  there  he  said,  “ Oh,  gentlemen,  pray  give 
me  leave  to  go  to  the  old  fishing-hut!”  Then  he  put  on 
his  old  smock,  and  went  back  to  the  gentlemen,  and  said, 
“ Do  you  see  now ; am  I not  the  son  of  a poor  Fisherman  ? 
In  this  dress  I earned  the  daily  bread  for  my  father  and 
mother.”  Then  they  knew  him  again,  and  begged  his 
pardon,  and  took  him  home ; and  he  told  them  all  about 
what  had  happened  to  him ; that  he  had  got  into  a great 
forest  on  a high  mountain;  that  the  mountain  had  opened, 
and  that  he  had  gone  into  an  enchanted  castle,  where  every- 
thing was  black,  and  three  Princesses  had  come,  who  were 
all  black,  except  a little  bit  of  white  in  the  face.  They 
had  told  him  not  to  be  afraid,  and  that  he  could  release 
them. 

Then  his  Mother  said,  “ That  cannot  be  right ; you 
must  take  a hallowed  kettle  with  you,  and  drop  some 
scalding  water  into  their  faces.” 

He  went  back  again,  and  he  shuddered  from  fear,  and 
dropped  some  water  into  their  faces  while  they  were  asleep, 
and  they  all  turned  half  white.  The  three  Princesses  j ump- 
ed  up,  and  said,  “ Accursed  dog,  our  blood  shall  cry  for 
vengeance ! now  there  is  no  one  born  in  the  world,  and  no 
one  will  be  born,  who  can  release  us.  "We  have  three 
brothers  locked  in  seven  chains,  and  they  shall  tear  you  to 
pieces.”  Then  there  was  a crash  through  the  whole  castle, 
and  he  jumped  out  of  a window  and  broke  his  leg;  and 
the  castle  sank  into  the  ground  again,  and  the  mountain 
closed,  and  nobody  knew  where  it  had  been. 


CXXXIII. 

Knoist  and  his  Three  Sons. 


BETWEEN  Werrel  and  Soist  there  lived  a man,  and 
his  name  was  Knoist.  He  had  three  sons : the  one 
was  blind,  the  other  was  lame,  and  the  third  was  stark 
naked.  They  once  went  into  the  fields,  and  there  they 
saw  a hare.  The  blind  one  shot  it,  the  lame  one  caught  it, 
and  the  naked  one  put  it  into  his  pocket.  Then  they  came 
to  a mighty  big  piece  of  water,  on  which  there  were  three 
ships:  the  one  floated,  the  other  sank,  and  the  third  had 
no  bottom  in  it.  The  one  that  had  no  bottom  they  all 
three  got  into.  Then  they  came  to  a mighty  great  forest, 
and  there  was  a great  mighty  tree : in  the  tree  there  was  a 
mighty  great  chapel,  in  the  chapel  there  was  a wizened  old 
Sacristan  and  a savage  old  Priest,  and  they  were  dealing 
out  holy  water  with  sticks. 


9 


CXXIV. 

The  Iron  Stove. 


TN  the  days  when  wishing  was  having,  a certain  King’s 
Son  was  enchanted  by  an  old  Witch,  and  obliged  to  sit 
in  a great  iron  stove  which  stood  in  a wood ! There  he 
passed  many  years,  for  nobody  could  release^  him  ; till  one 
day  a Princess  who  had  lost  herself,  and  could  not  find  her 
way  back  to  her  father’s  kingdom,  came  at  last,  after  nine 
day’s  wandering,  to  the  spot  where  the  iron  stove  stood. 
As  she  approached  it,  she  heard  a voice  say,  “ Whence 
comest  thou,  and  whither  goest  thou  ?”  “ I have  lost  the 

road  to  my  father’s  kingdom,  and  am  unable  to  find  my 
home  !”  she  replied.  “ I will  help  you,  and  that  in  a short 
time,”  said  the  voice  from  the  iron  stove,  “if  you  will  con- 
sent to  what  I desire ; I am  the  child  of  a far  greater  King 
than  your  father,  and  am  willing  to  marry  you.” 

The  Princess  was  frightened  at  this  proposal,  and  ex- 
claimed, “ What  can  I do  with  an  iron  stove  ?”  but  never- 
theless, as  she  was  anxious  to  get  home,  she  consented  to 
what  he  should,  wish.  Then  the  Prince  told  her  that  she 
must  return  after  she  had  been  home,  and  bring  with  her  a 
knife  to  cut  a hole  in  the  stove ; and  then  he  gave  her  such 
minute  directions  as  to  her  road,  that  in  two  hours  she 
reached  her  father’s  palace.  There  was  great  joy  there 
when  the  Princess  returned,  and  the  old  King  fell  on  her 
neck  and  kissed  her ; but  she  was  sore  troubled,  and  said, 
“ Alas  ! my  dear  father,  how  things  have  happened ! I 
should  never  have  reached  home  out  of  the  great  wild 
wood,  had  it  not  been  for  an  iron  stove,  to  ■which  I have 
therefore  promised  to  return  to  save  it  and  marry  it.” 

The  King  was  so  frightened  when  he  heard  this,  that  he 


The  Ieoh  Stove. 


213 


fell  into  a swoon ; for  she  was  his  only  daughter.  When 
he  recovered,  they  resolved  that  the  miller’s  daughter,  a 
very  pretty  girl  should  take  her  place ; and  so  she  was  led 
to  the  spot,  furnished  with  a knife,  and  told  to  scrape  a 
hole  in  the  iron  stove.  For  four-and-twenty  hours  she 
scraped  and  scraped ; but  without  making  the  least  bit  of 
a hole ; and  when  day  broke,  the  voice  out  of  the  stove, 
exclaimed,  “ It  seems  to  me  like  daylight.”  “ Yes,”  replied 
the  girl,  .“it  seems  so  to  me  too,  and  methinks  I hear  the 
clapping  of  my  father’s  mill.”  “ Oh  then,  you  are  the 
miller’s  daughter,”  said  the  voice  again ; “ well,  you  may  go 
home,  and  send  the  Princess  to  me.” 

The  girl,  therefore  returned,  and  told  the  King  the  stove 
would  not  have  her,  but  his  daughter,  which  frightened  the 
King  again,  and  made  the  Princess  weep.  But  the  King 
had  also  in  his  service,  a swine-herd’s  daughter,  prettier 
still  than  the  miller’s,  to  whom  he  offered  a piece  of  gold 
if  she  would  go  instead  of  the  princess  to  the  iron  stove. 
Thereupon,  this  girl  went  away,  and  scraped  for  four-and- 
twenty  hours  on  the  iron  without  producing  any  impres- 
sion ; and  when  day  broke,  a voice  out  of  the  stove,  ex- 
claimed, “It  seems. to  me  like  daylight.”  “Yes  it  is  so,” 
said  the  girl ; “for  I hear  my  father’s  horn.” 

“You  are  then  the  swine-herd’s  daughter,”  said  the 
voice,  “ go  straight  back,  and  tell  the  Princess  who  sent 
you,  that  it  must  be  as  I said  ; and  - therefore,  if  she  does 
not  come  to  me,  everything  in  the  old  kingdom  shall  fall 
to  pieces,  and  not  one  stone  be  left  upon  another  any- 
where.” 

As  soon  as  the  Princess  heard  this,  she  began  to  cry ; 
but  it  was  of  no  use,  for  her  promise  must  be  kept.  So  she 
took  leave  of  her  father ; and  carrying  a knife  with  her, 
set  out  towards  the  iron  stove  in  the  wood.  As  soon  as 
she  reached.it  she  began  to  scrape  the  iron ; and  before  two 
hours  had  passed,  she  had  already  made  a small  hole. 


214 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Through  this  she  peeped,  and  beheld  inside  the  stove  a 
handsome  Prince,  whose  dress  all  glittered  with  gold  and 
precious  stones ; and  she  immediately  fell  in  love  with  him. 
So  she  scraped  away  faster  than  before,  and  soon  had  made 
a hole  so  large  that  the  Prince  could  get  out.  “You  are 
mine,  and  I am  thine,”  he  said,  as  soon  as  he  stood  on  the 
earth  ; “ you  are  my  bride,  because  you  have  saved  me.” 
Then  he  wanted  to  take  her  at  once  to  his  father’s  king- 
dom ; but  she  begged  that  she  might  once  more  go  back  to 
her  father,  to  take  leave  of  him.  The  Prince  consented  to 
this  ; but  said  she  must  not  speak  more  than  three  words, 
and  immediately  return.  Thereupon  the  Princess  went 
home  ; but  alas  ! she  said  many  more  than  three  words ; 
and  the  iron  stove  consequently  disappeared,  and  was  car- 
ried far  away  over  many  icy  mountains  and  snowy  valleys ; 
but  without  the  Prince,  who  was  saved,  and  no  longer  shut 
up  in  his  former  prison.  By-and-by  the  Princess  took 
leave  of  her  father;  and  taking  some  gold  with  her,  but 
not  much,  she  went  back  into  the  wood,  and  sought  for  the 
iron  stove,  but  could  find  it  nowhere.  For  nine  days  she 
searched ; and  then  her  hunger  became  so  great,  that  she 
knew  not  how  to  help  herself,  and  thought  she  must  perish. 
When  evening  came  she  climbed  up  a little  tree,  for  she 
feared  the  wild  beasts,  which  night  would  bring  forth;  and 
just  as  midnight  approached  she  saw  a little  light  at  a dis- 
tance, “Ah,  there  I may  find  help,”  thought  she;  and  get- 
ting down,  she  went  towards  the  light,  saying  a prayer  as 
she  walked  along.  Soon  she  came  to  a little  hut,  around 
which  much  grass  grew  ; and  before  the  door  stood  a heap 
of  wood,  “ Ah,  how  came  you  here,”  thought  she  to  her- 
self, as  she  peeped  through  the  window  and  saw  nothing 
but  fat  little  toads ; and  a table  already  covered  with  meat 
and  wine,  and  plates  and  dishes  made  of  silver.  She 
took  courage  and  knocked ; and  immediately  a Toad  ex- 
claimed : — 


The  Iron  Stove. 


215 


“ Little  Toad,  •with  crooked  leg ; 

Open  quick  the  door,  I beg, 

And  see  who  stands  without !” 

As  soon  as  these  words  were  spoken,  a little  Toad  came 
running  up,  and  opened  the  door ; and  the  princess  walked 
in.  They  all  bade  her  welcome,  and  told  her  to  sit  down ; 
and  then  asked  her  whence  she  came,  and  whither  she  was 
going.  She  told  the  Toads  all  that  had  happened,  and 
how,  because  she  had  overstepped  the  mark  in  speaking 
more  than  three  words,  the  stove  had  disappeared  as  well 
as  the  Prince : and  now  she  was  about  to  search  over  hill 
and  valley  till  she  found  him.  When  she  had  told  her  tale, 
the  old  toad  cried  out : — 

“ Little  Toad,  with  crooked  leg ; 

Quickly  fetch  for  me,  I beg, 

The  basket  hanging  on  the  peg.” 

So  the  little  Toad  went  and  brought  the  basket  to  the  old 
one,  who  laid  it  down,  and  caused  meat  and  drink  to  be 
given  to  the*  Princess ; and  after  that  showed  her  a beauti- 
ful neat  bed,  made  of  silk  and  velvet,  in  which,  under 
God’s  protection,  she  slept  soundly.  As  soon  as  day  broke 
the  Princess  arose ; and  the  old  Toad  gave  her  three 
needles  out  of  the  bag,  to  take  with  her,  for  they  would  be 
of  use,  since  she  would  have  to  pass  over  a mountain  of 
glass,  three  sharp  swords,  and  a big  lake  before  she  would 
regain  her  lover.  The  old  Toad  gave  her  besides  the  three 
needles,  a ploughwheel  and  three  nuts ; and  with  these  the 
Princess  set  out  on  her  way ; and  by-and-by  approached 
the  glass  mountain  which  was  so  smooth  that  she  placed  the 
three  needles  in  the  heel  of  her  shoe,  and  so  passed  over. 
When  she  came  to  the  other  side,  she  placed  the  three 
needles  in  a secure  place ; and  soon  coming  to  the  three 
swords,  she  rolled  over  them  by  means  of  her  ploughwheel. 
At  last  she  came  to  the  great  lake ; and  when  she  passed 
that,  she  found  herself  near  a fine  large  castle.  Into  this 
she  entered ; and  offered  herself  as  a servant,  saying  she 


216  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

was  a poor  girl : but  had  a little  while  back,  rescued  a 
King’s  son  out  of  an  iron  stove,  which  stood  in  the  forest. 
After  some  delay  she  was  hired  as  a kitchen-maid,  at  a 
very  small  wage  ; and  soon  found  out  that  the  Prince  had 
an  intention  to  marry  another  lady,  because  he  supposed 
his  former  favourite  was  long  since  dead.  One  evening 
when  she  had  washed  and  made  herself  neat,  she  felt  in 
her  pocket,  and  found  the  three  nuts  which  the  old  Toad 
had  given  her.  One  of  them  she  cracked,  and  instead 
of  a kernel  found  a royal  dress,  which,  when  the  Bride 
heard  of,  she  said  she  must  have,  for  it  was  no  dress  for 
a servant-maid.  But  the  Princess  said  she  would  not  sell 
it,  but  on  one  condition,  which  was,  that  she  should  be 
allowed  to  pass  a night  by  the  chamber  of^  the  Prince. 
This  request  was  granted,  because  the  Bride  was  so  anxious 
to  have  the  dress,  since  she  had  none  like  it ; and  when 
evening  came  she  told  her  lover  that  the  silly  girl  wanted 
to  pass  the  night  near  his  room.  “ If  you  are  contented, 
so  am  I,”  he  replied ; but  she  gave  him  a glass  of  wine, 
in  which  she  put  a sleeping-draught.  In  consequence,  he 
slept  so  soundly,  that  the  poor  Princess  could  not  awake 
him,  although  she  cried  the  whole  night,  and  kept  repeat- 
ing, “ I saved  you  in  the  wild  forest,  and  rescued  you  out 
of  the  iron  stove ; I have  sought  you,  and  travelled  over  a 
mountain  of  glass,  and  over  three  sharp  swords,  and  across 
a wide  lake,  before  I found  you;  and  still  you  will  not 
hear  me !”  The  servants,  however,  who  slept  in  the  ante- 
room, heard  the  complaint,  and  told  the  King  of  it  the 
following  morning.  That  evening  after  the  Princess  had 
washed  and  cleaned  herself,  she  cracked  open  the  second 
nut  and  found  in  it  a still  more  beautiful  dress  than  the 
former;  so  that  the  Bride  declared  she  must  have  it.  But 
it  was  not  to  be  purchased  except  on  the  same  condition  as 
the  first;  and  the  Prince  allowed  her  to  sleep  where  she 
had  before.  The  Bride,  however,  gave  the  Prince,  another 


The  Iron  Stove. 


217 


sleeping-draught;  and  he  slept  too  soundly  to  hear  the 
poor  Princess  complaining  and  crying  as  before:  “I  saved 
you  in  the  wild  forest,  and  rescued  you  out  of  the  iron 
stove ; I have  sought  you,  and  travelled  over  a mountain 
of  glass,  and  over  three  sharp  swords,  and  across  a wide 
lake,  before  I found  you ; and  still  you  will  not  hear  me  1” 
The  servants,  however,  in  the  ante-room,  heard  the  crying 
again ; and  told  the  Prince  of  it  the  next  morning. 

On  the  same  evening,  the  poor  scullery-maid,  broke  her 
third  nut;  and  produced  a dress  starred  with  gold,  which 
the  Bride  declared  she  must  have  at  any  price ; and  the 
maid  petitioned  for  the  same  privilege  as  before.  But  the 
Prince  poured  out  this  time  the  sleeping-draught;  and 
therefore,  when  the  Princess  began  to  cry,  “ Alas ! my 
dear  treasure,  have  you  forgotten  how  I saved  you  in  the 
great  wild  wood,  and  rescued  you  out  of  the  iron  stove  ?” 
the  Prince  heard  her,  and  jumping  up,  exclaimed,  “You 
are  right,  I am  thine,  and  you  are  mine.”  Thereupon 
while  the  night  lasted,  he  got  into  a carriage  with  the 
Princess ; first  taking  away  the  clothes  of  the  false  Bride, 
that  she  might  not  follow  them.  When  they  came  to  the 
lake,  they  rowed  over  very  quickly,  and  passed  the  three 
sharp  swords  again  by  means  of  the  ploughwheel.  Soon 
they  crossed  the  glass  mountain  by  the  aid  of  the  three 
needles;  and  arrived  at  last  at  the  little  old  house,  which  as 
as  soon  they  entered,  was  changed  into  a noble  castle.  At 
the  same  moment  all  the  Toads  were  disenchanted  and 
returned  to  their  natural  positions ; for  they  were  the  sons 
of  the  King  of  the  country.  So  the  wedding  was  per- 
formed, and  the  Prince  and  Princess  remained  in  the  castle; 
for  it  was  much  larger  than  that  of  her  father.  However, 
because  the  old  King  grieved  at  his  daughter’s  continual 
absence,  they  went  and  lived  with  him  and  joined  the 
government  of  the  two  kingdoms  in  one ; and  so  for  many 
years  they  reigned  in  happiness  and  prosperity. 

VOL.  II.  — 10 


T 


cxxxv. 


The  Maid  of  Brakel. 


ONCE  upon  a time  a Girl  went  from  Brakel  to  the  St. 

Anne’s  chapel,  under  the  Hinne  mountain ; and  as  she 
would  have  liked  to  have  a husband,  and  thought  there  was 
nobody  else  inside,  she  began  to  sing — 

“ Oh,  holy  St  Anne, 

Get  me  a husband  as  soon  as  you  can ; 

Tou  know  him  quite  well, 

He  lives  at  the  Suttmer  gate ; 

Has  a round  yellow  pat-e, 

You  know  him  quite  well.” 

The  Sacristan,  however,  was  standing  behind  the  altar,  and 
heard  it  all ; and  he  called  out  in  a very  gruff  voice,  “ You 
shan’t  have  him ; you  shan’t  have  him  !” 

The  Girl  thought  it  was  the  little  infant  standing  by 
the  mother  Anne  that  had  calledout;  so  she  flew  into  a 
passion,  and  cried,  “ Pepperlepap,  little  stupid!  hold  your 
noise  and  let  the  mother  speak !” 


CXXXYI. 


The  Little  Lamb  and  the  Little  Fish. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  were  a Brother  and  Sister  who 
loved  one  another  very  much.  Their  own  mother  was 
dead,  but  they  had  a stepmother  who  was  very  unkind  to 
them,  and  did  them  privately  all  the  injury  she  could.  One 
day  it' happened  that  the  two  were  playing  with  other  chil- 
dren on  the  meadow  before  their  house,  in  the  middle  of 
which  was  a pond  which  ran  past  one  side  of  the  house. 
Round  this  the  children  used  to  run,  joining  hands  and 
singing, 

“ Eneke,  Beneke,  let  me  go, 

And  I will  give  my  bird  to  you ; 

The  bird  shall  fetch  of  straw  a bunch. 

And  that  the  cow  shall  have  to  munch; 

The  cow  shall  give  me  milk  so  sweet, 

And  that  I'll  to  the  baker  take ; 

"Who  with  it  shall  a small  cake  bake ; 

The  cake  the  cat  shall  have  to  eat, 

And  for  it  catch  a mouse  for  me, 

Which  I will  turn  to  sausage  meat, 

And  cut  it  all  to  pieces !” 

While  they  sang  they  ran  round  and  round,  and  upon, 
whom  the  word  “pieces”  fell  he  had  to  run  away,  and  the 
others  must  pursue  him  and  catch  him.  The  old  Step- 
mother stood  at  her  window  and  watched  the  game,  which 
vexed  her  very  much;  but,  as  she  understood  witches’  arts, 
she  wished  that  both  of  the  children  might  be  changed,  the 
one  into  a lamb  and  the  other  into  a fish.  Thereupon  the 
Brother  swam  round  the  pond  in  the  form  of  a fish,  and 
the  Sister  trotted  to  and  fro  on  the  meadow,  sorrowful  and 
unhappy,  and  would  not  eat  or  touch  a single  blade  of 
grass.  Thus  a long  time  passed,  till  one  day  foreign 


220 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


strangers  came  to  the  castle  on  a visit.  “Now  is  a good 
opportunity !”  thought  the  Step-mother,  and  called  the 
cook,  and  bade  him  fetch  the  lamb  out  of  the  meadow, 
for  there  was  nothing  else  for  the  visitors.  The  cook  went 
for  the  lamb,  and  leading  it  into  the  kitchen,  tied  it  by  the 
foot,  that  it  might  suffer  patiently.  While  he  went  for  his 
knife,  and  was  sharpening  it  on  the  grindstone,  to  kill  the 
poor  animal  with,  a little  fish  swam  up  the  gutter  to  the 
sink,  and  looked  at  him.  But  this  fish  was  the  Brother, 
and  he  had  seen  the  cook  carry  away  his  lamb,  and  had 
swum  from  the  pond  to  the  house.  When  the  lamb  saw 
him,  she  cried, 

“ Ah ! my  brother  in  the  pond, 

Woe  is  in  my  heart  so  fond  ! 

The  cook  is  sharpening  now  his  knife, 

To  take  away  my  tender  life  !” 

The  fish  replied : — 

“ Ah  ! my  sister ; woe  is  me, 

That  I am  far  away  from  thee ! 

Swimming  in  this  deep,  deep  sea  P 

When  the  cook  heard  the  lamb  speaking,  and  observed 
the  sorrowful  words  which  she  said  to  the  fish,  he  was 
frightened,  for  the  thought  it  could  not  be  a natural  animal, 
but  had  been  bewitched  by  the  wicked  woman  in  the  house. 
So  he  said  to  the  lamb,  “ Be  still,  I will  not  kill  you !” 
And  with  these  words  he  fetched  another  lamb  and  dressed 
it  for  the  guests.  Then  he  took  the  lamb  to  a good  honest 
countrywoman,  and  told  her  all  he  had  seen  and  heard. 
Now,  this  woman  was  in  former  days  the  nurse  of  the  two 
children,  and  she  conjectured  what  had  really  taken  place, 
and  went  with  them  to  a wise  woman.  This  latter  said  a 
blessing  over  the  lamb  and  fish,  and  thereby  they  regained 
their  natural  forms.  Then  the  little  Brother  and  Sister 
went  into  the  forest  and  built  for  themselves  a little  cot- 
tage, in  which  they  lived  happily  and  contentedly,  though 
alone. 


CXXiVII. 


Simeli-Mountain, 


HCE  upon  a time  there  lived  two  Brothers,  the  one 


rich  and  the  other  poor.  The  rich  man,  however, 
gave  nothing  to  the  poor  one,  who  earned  a miserable 
living  by  treading  in  corn ; and  sometimes  he  was  so  badly 
off  that  he  had  no  bread  for  his  wife  or  children.  Once  he 
was  trundling  his  barrow  through  the  forest,  and  suddenly 
he  perceived  on  one  side  of  the  road  a great  mountain, 
naked  and  uncultivated;  and,  because  he  had  never  ob- 
served it  before,  he  stopped  in  astonishment.  As  he  stood 
thus,  twelve  great  Wild  Men  came  up,  and,  thinking  they 
were  robbers,  he  pushed  his  barrow  among  the  brushwood, 
and  climbed  up  a tree  to  watch  their  proceedings.  The 
twelve  men  went  up  to  a mountain  and  exclaimed,  “Semsi- 
Mountain,  Semsi-Mountain,  open !”  Immediately  the  hill 
parted  in  two,  and  the  twelve  men  entering  it  closed  again 
as  soon  as  they  had  done  so.  In  a little  while  the  mountain 
opened,  and  the  men  came  out  carrying  heavy  sacks  on  their 
shoulders,  and  as  soon  as  they  had  all  emerged  into  daylight 
they  said,  “ Semsi-Mountain,  Semsi-Mountain,  shut  yourself 
up !”  Then  the  hill  closed  directly,  and  there  was  no  open- 
ing to  be  seen,  and  the  twelve  men  went  away.  When  they 
were  out  of  sight  the  poor  man  descended  from  the-  tree, 
feeling  curious  to  know  what  was  hidden  in  the  mountain. 
So  he  went  up  and  said, -“Semsi-Mountain,  Semsi-Mountain, 
open!”  It  opened  directly,  and  stepping  in  he  found  the 
hill  was  hollow  and  filled  with  gold  and  silver,  and  in  the 
further  part  of  it  heaps  of  pearls  and  precious  stones  were 
accumulated  like  corn.  The  poor  man  did  not  know  what 
to  take,  for  there  were  so  many  treasures  to  choose  from  ; at 


222 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


length  he  filled  his  pockets  with  gold  and  silver,  and  let 
alone  the  pearls  and  precious  stones.  As  soon  as  he  got 
outside  again  he  said  the  words,  “ Semsi-Mountain,  close 
up !”  and  immediately  all  appeared  as  if  there  were  no 
opening  to  be  made.  He  went  home  with  his  barrow,  and 
had  now  no  cares  to  trouble  him,  for  with  his  gold  he  could 
buy  bread  and  wine  for  his  wife  and  children ; and  could 
afford  to  live  freely  and  liberally,  besides  giving  to  the 
poor  and  doing  good  to  everybody.  But  when  his  money 
came  to  an  end  he  went  to  his  brother,  and  borrowed  a 
measure,  with  which  he  fetched  more  money,  but  touched 
none  of  the  precious  stones.  A third  time  he  borrowed 
this  measure,  but  tbis  time  his  brother’s  cupidity  was  ex- 
cited, for  the  rich  man  had  for  a long  while  been  dissatis- 
fied with  his  property,  and  his  already  beautiful  house, 
and  he  could  not  conceive  where  his  Brother  got  so  well 
paid,  or  what  he  did  with  the  measure.  So  he  bethought 
himself  „of  a stratagem,  and  spread  the  bottom  of  the  mea- 
sure with  pitch ; and,  when  his  brother  returned  to  him,  he 
found  a gold  piece  sticking  in  it.  Thereupon  he  went  to 
his  Brother,  and  asked  him  what  he  had  measured  with 
the  measure.  “Corn  and  beans,”  said  the  other.  Then  the 
rich  man  showed  the  gold  piece,  and  threatened  his  Brother 
if  he  did  not  tell  the  truth  to  take  him  before  the  sheriff. 
The  poor  Brother  therefore  related  all  that  happened,  and 
the  rich  man,  harnessing  his  horses  to  his  carriage,  went 
away,  determined  to  profit  by  the  circumstance,  and  bring 
home  greater  treasures.  As  soon  as  he  came  to  the  moun- 
tain he  called  out,  “ Semsi-Mountain,  Semsi-Mountain, 
open!”  The  hill  opened  immediately,  and  he  went  in. 
There  lay  all  the  treasures  before  him,  and  for  a long  while 
he  stood  considering  what  he  should  take.  At  length  he 
seized  the  precious  stones  and  took  as  much  as  he  could 
carry ; but  when  he  wanted  to  leave  the  mountain  he  had 
forgotten  its  name,  for  his  heart  and  mind  were  full  of  the 


Simeli-Mountain. 


223 


treasures  which,  he  had  seen.  “ Simeli-Mountain,  Simeli- 
Mountain,  open !”  he  cried ; but  that  was  not  the  right  name, 
and  the  mountain  moved  not,  but  remained  closed.  Soon  he 
became  terrified,  but  the  longer  he  thought  the  more  bewil- 
dered he  became,  a#id  all  his  treasures  availed  nothing.  In 
the  evening,  however,  the  mountain  opened,  and  the  twelve 
robbers  came  in,  and  as  soon  as  they  saw  the  rich  man  they 
laughed  and  exclaimed,  “ Ah ! have  we  caught  you  at  last, 
my  bird  ? did  you  think  we  had  not  remarked  your  two 
previous  visits,  when  we  could  not  catch  you?  but  this 
time  you  will  not  go  out  again.” 

“It  was  not  me,  but  my  Brother,”  cried  the  rich  man  ; 
but  his  protestations  were  of  no  use,  and  beg  as  he  might 
for  his  life,  they  had  no  mercy,  but  cut  off  his  head. 


CXXXVIII. 


Going  out  a-travelling. 


NCE  upon  a time  there  was  a poor  Woman  who  had 


a Son  so  very  fond  of  travelling  that  his  mother  used 
to  say  to  him,  “ Where  can  you  ride,  when  you  have  no 
money  to  take  with  you?”  “I  can  help  myself  well,”  said 
the  Son ; “ and  all  day  long  I will  say,  ‘ Not  much,  not 
much,  not  much  !’  ” 

So  he  travelled  a whole  day  and  kept  saying,  “Not 
much,  not  much,  not  much!”  By-and-by  he  came  to  a 
Fisherman,  to  whom  he  said,  “ God  help  you,  not  much!” 
“ How  say  you,  fellow  ?”  cried  the  Fisherman,  “ not  much !” 
When  he  drew  out  the  net  there  were  very  few  fish,  and 
taking  up  a stick  he  beat  the  Youth,  saying,  “ Have  you 
never  seen  me  thrash  ?”  “ What  shall  I say,  then  ?”  asked 

the  Youth.  “ A good  catch,  a good  catch,  a good  catch !” 

Thereupon  the- Youth  walked  a whole  daylong,  cry- 
ing, “ A good  catch !”  till  he  came  to  a gallows,  where 
they  were  about  to  hang  up  a poor  Criminal.  “ (rood 
morning!”  said  the  Youth,  “a  good  catch,  a good  catch  !” 
“ What  do  you  say,  fellow  ?”  said  the  Criminal ; “ shall 
there  not  be  a bad  man  in  the  world  ? is  one  not  enough  ?” 
So  saying  he  went  up  the  ladder.  “ What  shall  I say, 
then?”  asked  the  Youth.  “You  should  say,  ‘God  com- 
fort a poor  soul !’  ” 

The  next  day  accordingly  the  Youth  walked  all  day 
long,  repeating,  “ God  comfort  a poor  soul !”  Presently  he 
came  to  a grave,  whereby  stood  a Knacker  about  to  kill 
an  old  horse.  “ Good  morning ! God  comfort  the  poor 
soul!”  said  the  Youth.  “What  do  you  say,  you  silly 
fellow?”  said  the  Knacker,  giving  the  Youth  a blow  on 


Going  out  a-tr  welling. 


225 


the  ear,  so  that  he  could  scarce  see  out  of  his  eyes. 
“ What  shall  I say,  then  ?”  “ You  should  say,  ‘ There 

lies  a carcase  in  its  grave!’” 

So  all  the  next  day  the  Youth  went  on,  saying,  “ There 
lies  a carcase  in  its  grave !”  Presently  he  met  a waggon 
full  of  people.  “ Good  morning ! there  lies  a carcase  in  its 
grave !”  said  the  Youth.  As  he  spoke  the  waggon  fell  into 
the  grave,  and  the  driver,  jumping  off,  gave  the  Youth  a 
cut  with  his  whip,  and  drove  him  home  to  his  Mother. 

And  all  his  life  long  afterwards  he  never  went  out  a- 
travelling. 


VOL.  II. — 10* 


CXXXIX. 


The  Little  Ass. 


NCE  -upon  a time  there  lived  a King  and  Queen,  who 


were  very  rich,  and  possessed  all  they  desired,  but 
children.  On  this  account  the  Queen  used  to  cry  and  groan 
- jdl  day  long,  saying,  “ I am  like  a barren  field  where 
nothing  will  grow  !”  At  last  her  wishes  and  prayers  were 
answered,  and  a child  was  born  ; but  when  the  nurses  took 
it  they  said  it  was  a Little  Ass,  and  not  a human  child. 
When  the  mother  perceived  this,  she  began  to  cry  and 
groan  again,  for  she  would  rather  have  had  no  child  than 
a Little  Ass,  and  she  ordered  them  to  throw  the  thing  into 
the  water,  that  it  might  feed  the  fishes.  The  King,  how- 
ever, said,  “ No ! God  gave  it,  and  it  shall  be  my  son  and 
heir,  and  at  my  death  sit  upon  the  throne,  and  wear  the 
royal  crown.”  So  the  Little  Ass  was  taken  care  of  and 
brought  up  well,  while  its  ears  grew  to  a good  size  and 
were  straight  and  well  formed.  Now,  it  was  a frolicsome 
animal,  and  used  to  jump  about,  and,  besides,  it  had  a very 
great  passion  for  music,  so  much  so  that  it  went  to  a cele- 
brated Musician,  and  said,  “ Teach  me  your  art,  that  I may 
strike  the  lute  as  well  as  you.”  “ Ah ! my  dear  sir,”  re- 
plied the  Musician,  “ that  would  be  difficult;  your  fingers 
are  not  altogether  made  for  the  purpose ; I am  afraid  you 
could  not  touch  the  strings.” 

The  Ass,  however,  would  not  be  put  off,  and,  being 
determined  to  learn,  he  applied  himself  so  strenuously  and 
industriously  that  in  the  course  of  time  he  could  play  as 
well  as  the  master  himself.  One  day  afterwards  the  young 
Prince  went  out  walking  in  a thoughtful  mood,  and,  pre- 
sently coming  to  a running  brook,  he  looked  in  and  saw 


The  Little  Ass. 


227 


Lis  own  figure  reflected  like  an  ass.  The  sight  made  him 
so  sad  that  he  wandered  away  from  his  home,  attended 
but  by  one  trusty  friend.  They  travelled  to  and  fro  for 
many  months,  and  at  last  came  to  a kingdom  over  which 
ruled  an  old  King,  who  had  an  only  but  very  beautiful 
daughter.  “Here  we  will  stay,”  said  the  Ass  Prince;  and, 
knocking  at  the  palace-door,  he  cried  out,  “Open,  if  you 
please ! a visitor  stands  without  who  "wishes  to  come  in.” 
The  door  was  not  opened,  and  so  the  Ass  sat  down  on  the 
steps  and  played  his  lute  in  the  most  charming  way  with 
his  two  fore-feet.  At  this  the  guard  at  the  door  opened  ^ 
his  eyes  very  wide,  and  running  to  the  King  told  him  that 
a young  Ass  was  at  the  door,  who  was  playing  the  lute 
like  a regular  musician.  “ Let  him  come  in  then,”  said  the 
King.  But,  as  soon  as  the  Ass  entered,  all  began  to  laugh 
at  such  a lute-player,  and  he  was  told  to  sit  down  and  feed 
with  the  slaves  at  the  lower  end  of  the  hall.  This  he  would 
not  do,  but  said,  “ I am  no  common  animal,  I am  a distin- 
guished Ass.”  “If  you  are  so,”  said  the  others,  “take 
your  place  with  the  soldiers.”  “No;  I will  sit  by  the 
King  himself,”  said  the  Ass.  The  King  laughed,  but  said, 
good-naturedly,  “Yes,  it  shall  be  so,  as  you  desire;  come 
up  hither.”  By-and-by  the  King  asked,  “ How  does  my 
daughter  please  you?”  The  Ass  turned  his  head  towards 
her,  looked  at  her,  and,  nodding,  said,  “ The  Princess 
pleases  me  beyond  measure,  she  is  so  beautiful  as  I have 
never  seen  any  one  before.”  “Well,  then,  you  shall  sit 
by  h^r,”  said  the  King.  “That  is  just  right,”  said  the 
Ass,  and,  sitting  down  by  her  side,  he  ate  and  drank  witli 
her,  for  he  knew  how  to  conduct  himself  before  companv. 

At  this  court  the  noble  beast  stayed  many  months  ; but 
soon  he  began  to  think,  “ Of  what  use  is  all  this  ? I may  as 
well  return  home ;”  and,  hanging  his  head  down,  he  went 
to  the  King  and  mentioned  his  wishes.  But  the  King  had 
become  very  partial  to  the  Ass,  and  said,  “ What  is  the 


228 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


matter,  my  dear  friend  ? you  look  as  sour  as  a vinegar- 
cruet.  Do  stop  with  me,  I will  give  you  whatever  you 
desire;  do  you  want  money?”  “Ho,”  said  the  Ass,  sha- 
king his  head.  “ Do  you  need  treasures  or  jewels?”  “Ho.” 
“Will  you  have  the  half  of  my  kingdom?”  “Ah,  no, 
no  !”  “ I would  I knew  what  would  content  you,”  cried 

the  King;  “ will  you  have  my  beautiful  daughter  to  wife?” 
“ Oh  yes ! that  would  please  me  well,”  replied  the  Ass,  and 
his  spirits  returned  at  once,  for  it  was  the  very  thing  he  had 
wished.  So  thereupon  a large  and  magnificent  wedding 
was  celebrated.  At  night,  wlien  the  bride  and  bridegroom 
were  about  to  go  to  their  sleeping-apartment,  the  King  took 
a fancy  to  know  if  he  would  retain  his  form  or  not,  and  so 
be  bade  a servant  to  conceal  himself  in  his  room.  By-and- 
by,  when  they  entered,  the  bridegroom  bolted  the  door 
after  him,  and  then,  believing  that  he  and  his  wife  were 
alone,  he  threw  off  his  Ass’s  skin,  and  stood  up  a hand- 
some and  well-formed  man.  “ How  you  see,”  said  he  to 
his  bride,  “ who  I am,  and  that  I am  not  unworthy  of  you.” 
She  was  of  course  in  transports  of  joy  to  see  the  good 
change,  and  kissed  him,  and  thenceforth  loved  him  dearly. 
As  soon  as  morning  came  over,  he  got  up  and  put  on 
again  his  skin,  so  that  no  one  ever  would  have  known 
what  was  concealed  beneath  it.  Soon  the  old  King  came, 
and  when  he  saw  the  Ass  he  exclaimed,  “ Ah ! what,  up 
already !”  and  then  turning  to  his  daughter  he  said  to  her, 
“ Alas ! you  are  doubtless  in  grief,  because  you  have  not 
really  a human  husband.”  “ Oh  no,  dear  father,”  she 
replied;  “I  love  him  as  much  as  if  he  were  the  hand- 
somest man  possible,  and  I will  comfort  him  all  my  life.” 
The  King  went  away  astonished ; but  the  servant  fol- 
lowed him  and  told  him  what  had  happened.  “ That 
never  can  be  true,”  said  the  King.  “Then  watch  yourself 
to-night,  my  lord  King,”  answered  the  servant;  “and  you 
will  see  with  your  own  eyes  the  truth  of  my  words ; but  I 


The  Little  Ass. 


229 


would  advise  you  to  snatch  away  the  skin  and  burn  it,  and 
then  your  son-in-law  will  be  compelled  to  show  himself  in 
his  true  character.  “Your  advice  is  good,”  said  the  King; 
and  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  when  everybody  was  asleep, 
he  slipped  into  the  chamber  of  his  son-in-law,  and  when  he 
looked  at  the  bed  the  moonbeams  showed  clearly  that  it 
was  no  Ass,  but  a fine  young  man  who  laid  in  it,  while  by 
the  side,  the  skin  had  been  thrown  down  on  the  floor.  The 
King  took  the  skin  up  and  caused  a great  fire  to  be  made, 
into  which  he  threw  it,  and  stood  by  till  it  was  burnt  to 
ashes.  He  was  anxious  still  to  see  how  the  youth  would 
behave  when,  he  discovered  his  loss,  and  so  he  stopped  the 
rest  of  the  night  watching.  At  daybreak  the  youth  arose, 
and  looked  about  for  his  ass-skin ; but  he  could  find  it 
nowhere.  Then  he  was  frightened,  and  cried  out  in  sor- 
row and  anguish,  “Alas!  I must  make  my  escape!”  But 
as  he  left  the  room,  he  found  the  King  standing  outside, 
who  said,  “ Whither  away,  my  son,  in  such  a hurry?  what 
do  you  intend  ? Eemain  here ; you  are  too  handsome  a 
man  to  be  readily  parted  with.  I will  give  you  now  the 
government  of  half  of  my  kingdom,  and  at  my  death  you 
shall  have  the  whole.” 

“So  wish  I that  this  good  beginning  may  have  a good 
ending,”  said  the  youth.  “ I will  remain  with  you.” 

Thereupon  the  old  King  put  the  half  of  the  kingdom 
under  his  care,  and,  when  he  died  about  a year  after,  the 
whole  government  descended  to  the  young  King,  and  in 
another  year  he  was  called  upon  to  rule  the  kingdom 
of  his  own  father,  who  died  and  left  it  to  him.  And 
over  these  two  countries  he  ruled  so  wisely  that  the  peo- 
ple prospered,  and  his  Queen  and  he  were  happy  and 
contented. 


u 


The  Old  Griffin. 


f | ''HERE  was  once  a King,  but  where  he  reigned  and 
J-  how  he  was  called  I know  nothing  about.  He  had 
no  son,  only  a daughter  who  was  always  ill,  and  no  doctor 
could  cure  her ; then  it  was  prophesied  to  the  King  that 
his  Daughter  would  eat  herself  well  with  an  apple.  So  he 
made  it  known  all  over  the  kingdom,  whoever  brought  his 
Daughter  some  apples  with  which  she  could  eat  herself 
well  should  marry  her  and  be  king.  Now,  a Peasant,  who 
had  three  sons,  heard  of  it;  and  he  said  to  the  eldest,  “Go 
to  the  garden,  take  a basket  full  of  those  beautiful  apples 
with  the  red  cheeks,  and  carry  them  to  the  court.  Per- 
haps the  King’s  Daughter  will  be  able  to  eat  herself  well 
with  them ; and  then  you  can  marry  her  and  be  king.” 
The  chap  did  as  he  was  bid,  and  took  to  the  road.  When 
he  had  walked  awhile  he  met  quite  a little  Iron  Man,  who 
asked  him  what  he  had  in  his  basket.  So  Hele,  for  that' 
was  his  name,  said,  “ Frogs’  legs !”  The  little  Man  then 
said,  “Well,  so  it  shall  be,  and  remain;”  and  then  went 
on.  At  last  Hele  came  to  the  castle,  and  had  it  announced 
that  he  had  got  some  apples  which  would  cure  the  King’s 
Daughter  if  she  ate  them.  At  that  the  King  was  mightily 
pleased,  and  had  Hele  in  court.  Oh,  dear ! when  he  opened 
it,  instead  of  apples,  he  had  frogs’  legs  in  the  basket,  and 
they  were  kicking  about  still.  The  King  got  into  a great 
rage  and  had  him  kicked  out  of  the  house.  When  he  got 
home  he  told  his  Father  how  he  had  fared.  Then  the 
Father  sent  his  next  son,  whose  name  was  Saeme,  but  it 
went  just  the  same  with  him  as  with  Hele.  The  little  Iron 
Man  met  him  very  soon,  and  asked  him  what  he  had  in 


The  Old  Griffin. 


231 


the  basket,  and  Saeme  said,  “ Sow-bristles and  the  little 
Man  said,  “Well,  so  it  shall  be,  and  remain.”  When  he 
arrived  at  the  King’s  castle,  and  said  he  had  apples  with 
which  the  King’s  Daughter  could  eat  herself  well,  they 
would  not  let  him  in,  and  told  him  there  had  already  been 
one  who  had  made  fools  of  them.  But  Saeme  insisted  he 
had  really  such  apples;  they  should  only  let  him  in.  At 
last  they  believed  him,  and  took  him  before  the  King;  but 
when  he  opened  the  basket  he  had  nothing  but  sow-bristles. 
That  annoyed  the  King  most  dreadfully,  so  that  he  had 
Saeme  whipped  out  of  the  house.  When  he  got  home  he 
told  them  what  had  happened  to  him.  Then  came  the 
youngest  boy,  whom  they  had  always  called  stupid  Jack, 
and  asked  the  Father  whether  he,  too,  might  go  with 
apples.  “Yes,”  said  the  Father,  “you  are  just  the  right 
sort  of  fellow ; if  the  clever  ones  can’t  succeed,  what  will 
you  be  able  to  do?”  The  boy  did  not  believe  it.  “Well, 
Father,  I will  go  too.”  “ Get  away,  you  stupid  chap  !” 
said  the  Father;  “you  must  wait  till  you  grow  wiser;” 
and  then. turned  his  back  upon  him;  but  the  boy  tugged 
.at  his  smock-frock  behind  and  said,  “Flow,  Father,  I will 
go  too.”  “Well,  just  as  you  like;  go — you  will  be  sure 
to  come  back,”  he  answered  in  a spiteful  way.  The  boy 
was  beyond  measure  delighted,  and  jumped  for  joy.  “ Ay, 
there!  act  like  a fool!  You  get  stupider  from  one  day  to 
the  next,”  said  the  Father.  That  did  not  affect  Jack  a bit, 
who  would  not  be  disturbed  in  his  joy.  As  night  soon 
came  on,  he  thought  he  would  wait  the  next  morning; 
any  how,  he  would  not  be  able  to  get  to  court  that  day. 
He  could  not  sleep  that  night  in  bed,  and  when  he  only 
slumbered  a little  he  dreamed  of  beautiful  maidens,  of 
castles,  gold,  silver,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.  Early  next 
morning  he  went  his  way,  and  soon  the  little  Man  in  his 
iron  dress  met  him  and  asked  him  what  he  had  in  the 
basket,  “Apples,”  he  answered,  “with  which  the  King’s 


232 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Daughter  should  eat  herself  well.”  “Well,”  said  the  little 
Man,  “such  it  shall  be,  and  remain.”  But  at  court  they 
would  not  let  Jack  in  at  all;  for  that  there  had  been  two 
who  had  said  they  brought  apples,  and  one  had  frogs’  legs, 
and  the  other  sow-bristles.  But  Jack  insisted  tremendously 
he  had  no  frogs’  legs,  but  the  most  beautiful  apples  that 
grew  in  the  kingdom.  As  he  spoke  so  nicely  the  door- 
keeper thought  he  could  not  be  telling  a lie,  and  let  him 
in  ; and  they  did  quite  right  too,  for,  when  Jack  uncovered 
the  basket  before  the  King,  gold-yellow  apples  came  tum- 
bling out.  The  King  was  delighted,  and  had  some  of 
them  taken  to  his  daughter  at  once,  and  waited  in  anxious 
expectation  until  they  should  bring  him  word  what  etfect 
they  had.  Not  long  after  news  is  brought  him ; but  what 
think  you  it  was?  It  was  the  Daughter  herself!  As  soon 
as  she  had  ate  of  those  apples  she  had  jumped  out  of 
bed  quite  well.  What  the  King’s  delight  was  cannot  be 
described. 

But  now  the  King  would  not  give  Jack  his  Daughter  to 
marry,  and  said  that  he  must  first  make  him  a boat  that 
would  swim  more  like  a boat  on  land  than  in  the  water.  • 
Jack  agrees  to  the  condition,  and  goes  home  and  tells  how 
^e  has  fared.  So  the  Father  sends  Hele  into  the  wood 
to  make  such  a boat ; he  worked  away  diligently,  and 
whistled  the  while.  At  midday,  when  the  sun  was  at  the 
highest,  comes  the  little  Iron  Man,  and  asks  what  he  is 
making.  “Wooden  boat,”  answers  he.  The  little  Man 
answered,  “Well,  so  it  shall  be,  and  remain.”  In  the 
evening  Hele  thinks  he  has  made  the  boat ; but,  when  he 
is  going  to  get  into  it,  it’s  nothing  but  wooden  bowls.  The 
next  day  Saeme  goes  into  the  wood ; but  it  went  no  other 
with  him  than  with  Hele.  On  the  third  day  stupid  Jack 
goes  : he  works  very  hard,  so  that  the  wood  resounded  all 
through  with  his  heavy  blows,  and  he  sang  and  whistled 
besides  right  merrily.  The  little  Man  came  to  him  at  mid- 


The  Old  Griffin. 


233 


day  when  it  was  the  hottest,  and  asked  him  what  he  was 
making.  “ A boat  which  will  go  on  dry  land  more  like  a 
boat  than  on  the  water,”  he  answered,  “ and  that  when  he 
had  done'it  he  should  marry  the  King’s  daughter.”  “Well,” 
said  the  little  Man,  “such  a one  it  shall  be,  and  remain.” 
In  the  evening,  when  the  sun  had  turned  to  gold,  Jack  was 
ready  with  his  boat  and  all  things  belonging  to  it ; he  got 
in  and  rowed  towards  the  castle ; but  the  boat  went  as  fast 
as  the  wind.  The  King  sees  it  from  a long  way  off ; but 
will  not  give  Jack  his  Daughter  yet,  and  says  he  must  first 
take  a hundred  hares  out  grazing  from  early  morning  to 
late  in  the  evening,  and  if  one  were  missing  he  should  not 
have  his  Daughter.  Ja<Jk  is  quite  contented,  and  the  next 
day  goes  out  with  his  herd  to  the  meadow,  and  keeps  a 
sharp  look  out  that  none  stray  away.  Not  many  hours  had 
passed  away  when  a maid  comes  from  the  castle,  and  says, 
Jack  is  to  give  her  a hare  directly,  as  some  visitors  had  ar- 
rived. But  Jack  saw  through  that  well  enough,  and  said 
he  would  not  give  her  one ; the  King  might  treat  his  vis- 
itors to  hare-pepper.  But  the  maid  did  not  believe  him, 
, and  at  last  set  to  scolding.  So  Jack  said  that  if  the  King’s 
Daughter  came  herself  he  would  give  her  a hare.  The 
maid  told  them  that  in  the  castle,  and  the  King’s  Daughter 
did  go  herself.  But  in  the  mean  time  the  little  Man  had 
come  again  to  Jack  and  asked  him,  what  he  was  doing 
there.  “ Oh,  he  had  got  to  watch  a hundred  hares  so  that 
none  ran  away,  and  that  he  was  to  marry  the  King’s 
Daughter,  and  be  King.”  “ Good !”  said  the  little  Man, 
“ there’s  a whistle  for  you,  and  when  one  runs  away  only 
just  whistle  and  he  will  come  back  again.”  When  the 
King’s  Daughter  came,  Jack  gave  her  a hare  into  her  apron. 
But  when  she  had  got  about  a hundred  steps  off,  Jack 
whistles,  and  the  hare  jumps  out  of  the  cloth,  and  jump, 
jump  ! is  back  to  the  herd  directly.  In  the  evening  the 
hare-herd  whistles  again,  and  looks  to  see  they  are  all  right, 


234 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


and  drive  them  to  the  castle.  The  King  wondered  how 
Jack  had  been  able  to  take  care  of  a hundred  hares,  so  that 
none  should  run  off : but  he  would  not  jet  give  him  his 
Daughter  so  easily,  but  said  he  must  get  him  a feather  from 
the  old  Griffin’s  tail. 

Jack  starts  at  once,  and  marches  right  briskly  on.  In 
the  evening  he  arrives  at  a castle,  where  he  asks  for  a 
night’s  lodging,  for  at  that  time  there  was  no  such  things 
as  hotels;  and  the  master  of  the  castle  greets  him  very 
civilly,  and  asks  him  where  he  is  going  to  ? Jack  answers, 
“ To  the  old  Griffin.”  “ Oh,  indeed  ! to  the  old  Griffin ; 
they  say  he  knows  everything,  and  I have  lost  the  key  to 
an  iron  money-chest ; perhaps  you  would  be  good  enough 
to  ask  him  where  it  is  ?”  “ Certainly,”  said  Jack,  “ that  I 

will.”  Early  the  next  morning  he  started  off  again  on  his 
road,  and  arrives  at  another  castle,  where  he  again  passes 
the  night.  When  the  people  learned  that  he  was  going  to 
the  old  Griffin,  they  said  “ a daughter  was  ill  in  the  house ; 
they  had  already  tried  every  possible  remedy,  but  without 
effect ; would  he  be  kind  enough  to  ask  old  Griffin  what 
would  cure  her  ?”  Jack  said  he  would  do  it  with  pleasure, 
and  went  on  again.  He  arrives  at  a lake ; and,  instead  of 
a ferry-boat,  there  was  a big  man  who  had  to  carry  every- 
body over.  The  man  asked  him  where  he  was  bound  for  ? 
“ To  the  old  Griffin,”  said  Jack.  “ When  you  get  to  him,” 
said  the  man,  “just  ask  him  why  I am  obliged  to  carry 
everybody  over  the  water.”  “Yes,  to  be  sure,”  said  Jack; 
“ goodness  gracious ! yes,  willingly  !”  The  man  then  took 
him  up  on  his  shoulder,  and  carried  him  over.  At  last 
Jack  arrives  at  the  old  Griffin’s  house,  and  only  found  the 
wife  at  home — not  old  Griffin.  The  woman  asked  him 
what  he  wanted,  so  he  told  her  he  must  have  a feather 
from  old  Griffin’s  tail ; and  that  in  a castle  they  had  lost 
the  key  to  the  money-chest,  and  he  was  to  ask  the  Griffin 
where  it  was;  and  then,  in  another  castle,  the  daughter 


The  Old  Griffin. 


235 


was  ill,  and  he  was  to  know  what  would  make  her  well 
again  ; then  not  far  from  there  was  the  water,  and  the  man 
who  was  obliged  to  carry  everybody  over,  and  he  should 
very  much  like  to  know  why  the  man  was  obliged  to 
carry  everybody  over.”  “But,”  said  the  AVoman,  “look 
you,  my  good  friend,  no  Christian  can  speak  with  a Griffin  ; 
he  eats  them  all  up  ; but,  if  you  like,  you  can  lie  there 
under  his  bed,  and  at  night,  when  he  is  fast  asleep,  you 
can  reach  out  and  pull  a feather  out  of  his  tail ; and  as  to 
those  things  that  you  want  to  know,  I will  ask  him  myself.” 
Jack  was  quite  satisfied  with  the  arrangement,  and  got  under 
the  bed.  In  the  evening  old  Griffin  came  home,  and  when 
he  stepped  into  the  room  he  said,  “ AVife,  I smell  a Chris- 
tian !”  “ Yes,”  said  the  AYife,  “ there  has  been  one  here  to- 
day, but  he  went  away  again.”  So  old  Griffin  said  no  more. 
In  the  middle  of  the  night,  when  Griffin  was  snoring  away 
lustily,  Jack  reached  up  and  pulled  a feather  out  of  his  tail. 

The  Griffin  jumped  up  suddenly,  and  cried,  “ AArife,  I 
smell  a Christian  ! and  it  was  just  as  if  some  one  had  been 
plucking  at  my  tail.”  The  wife  said,  “ You  have  no  doubt 
been  dreaming.  I have  told  you  already  that  one  has 
been  here  to-day,  but  that  he  went  away  again.  He  told 
me  all  sorts  of  things : that  in  a castle  they  had  lost  the 
key  of  the  money-chest,  and  could  not  find  it.”  “ Oh,  the 
fools  !”  exclaimed  the  Griffin  ; “the  key  lies  in  the  wood- 
shed, behind  the  door,  under  a log  of  wood.  ” “ And 

further,  he  said  that  in  a castle  the  daughter  was  ill,  and 
they  knew  no  means  to  cure  her.”  “ Oh,  the  fools !”  said 
the  Griffin,  “under  the  cellar  steps  a toad  has  made  its 
nest  of  her  hair,  and  if  she  got  the  hair  back  again  she 
would  be  well.”  “ And,  then  again,  he  said,  at  a certain 
place  there  was  a lake,  and  a man  who  was  obliged  to  carry 
everybody  over.”  “ Ob,  the  fool !”  said  the  old  Griffin,  “ if 
he  were  only  to  put  somebody  into  the  middle  he  need  not 
carry  any  more  over.” 


236 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Early  next  morning  the  old  Griffin  got  up  ana  went 
out,  and  so  Jack  gets  from  under  the  bed  with  such  a beau- 
tiful feather,  and  he  had  heard  what  the  Griffin  had  said 
about  the  key,  the  daughter,  and  the  man.  The  wife  re- 
peated it  all  to  him  so  that  he  should  not  forget,  and  then 
he  started  off  towards  home.  He  came  to  the  man  at  the 
water  first,  and  he  asked  him  directly  what  the  Griffin 
had  said  ; but  Jack  said  he  must  carry  him  over  first,  and 
then  he  would  tell  him.  So  he  carried  him  over ; and 
when  they  got  there  Jack  told  him  he  only  had  to  put 
somebody  into  the  middle  and  then  he  need  carry  no  more. 
The  man  was  delighted  beyond  measure,  and  told  Jack  that 
out  of  gratitude  he  should  like  to  carry  him  over  and  back 
once  more.  But  Jack  said  nay,  he  would  save  him  the 
trouble ; he  was  quite  contented  with  him  already,  and  then 
went  on.  Then  he  arrived  at  the  castle  where  the  daughter 
was  ill ; he  took  her  on  his  shoulder,  for  she  was  not 
able  to. walk,  and  carried  her  down  the  cellar  stairs,  and 
then  took  the  toad’s  nest  from  under  the  bottom  step,  and 
put  it  into  the  daughter’s  hand,  and  all  at  once  she  jumps 
off  his  shoulder,  up  the  stairs  before  him,  and  is  quite  well. 
Now  the  father  and  mother  were  delighted  indeed,  and 
made  Jack  presents  of  gold  and  silver,  and  whatever  he 
wanted  they  gave  him.  When  Jack  arrived  at  the  other 
castle  he  went  straight  to  the  wood-shed,  and  found  the 
key  right  enough  behind  the  door,  under  the  log  of  wood, 
and  took  it  to  the  master.  He  was  not  a little  pleased,  and 
gave  Jack  in  return  a great  deal  of  gold  that  was  in  the 
box,  and  all  sorts  of  things  besides,  such  as  cows,  and 
sheep,  and  goats.  When  Jack  got  to  the  King  with  all 
those  things,  with  the  money,  and  gold  and  silver,  and  the 
cows,  sheep,  and  goats,  the  King  asked  him  wherever  he 
had  come  by  all  that.  So  Jack  said  the  old  Griffin  would 
give  one  as  much  as  one  liked.  The  King  thought  he 
oould  find  a use  for  that  sort  of  thing  himself,  and  so  started 


The  Old  Griffin. 


237 


off  to  the  Griffin ; but  when  he  got  to  the  water  he  hap- 
pened to  be  the  first  who  arrived  there  since  Jack,  and  the 
man  put  him  in  the  middle  and  walked  off,  and  the  King 
was  drowned. 

So  Jack  married  the  King’s  Daughter  and  became  King. 


CXLI. 


Snow-White  and  Rose-Red. 


HERE  was  once  a poor  Widow  who  lived  alone  in  her 


hut  with  her  two  children,  who  were  called  Snow- 
White  and  Rose-Red,  because  they  were  like  the  flowers 
which  bloomed  on  two  rose-bushes  which  grew  before  the 
cottage.  But  they  were  two  as  pious,  good,  industrious, 
and  amiable  children,  as  any  that  were  in  the  world,  only 
Snow-White  was  more  quiet  and  gentle  than  Rose-Red. 
For  Rose-Red  would  run  and  jump  about  the  meadows, 
seeking  flowers  and  catching  butterflies,  while  Snow-White 
sat  at  home  helping  her  Mother  to  keep  house,  or  reading 
to  her  if  there  were  nothing  else  to  do.  The  two  children 
loved  one  another  dearly,  and  always  walked  hand-in-hand 
when  they  went  out  together ; and  ever  when  they  talked 
of  it  they  agreed  that  they  would  never  separate  from  each 
other,  and  that  whatever  one  had  the  other  should  share. 
Often  they  ran  deep  into  the  forest  and  gathered  wild  ber- 
‘es  ; but  no  beast  ever  harmed  them.  For  the  hare  would 
eat  cauliflowers  out  of  their  hands,  the  fawn  would  graze 
at  their  side,  the  goats  would  frisk  about  them  in  play,  and 
the  birds  remained  perched  on  the  boughs  singing  as  if 
nobody  were  near.  No  accident  ever  befell  them ; and  if 
they  stayed  late  in  the  forest,  and  night  came  upon  them, 
they  used  to  lie  down  on  the  moss  and  sleep  till  morning; 
and  because  their  Mother  knew  they  would  do  so,  she  felt 
no  concern  about  them.  One  time  when  they  had  thus 
passed  the  night  in  the  forest,  and  the  dawn  of  morning 
awoke  them,  they  saw  a beautiful  Child  dressed  in  shining 
white  sitting  near  their  couch.  She  got  up  and  looked  at 
them  kindly,  but  without  saying  anything  went  into  the 


Snow-White  and  Eose-Eed. 


239 


forest ; and  when  the  children  looked  round  they  saw  that 
•where  they  had  slept  was  close  to  the  edge  of  a pit,  into 
which  they  would  have  certainly  fallen  had  they  walked  a 
couple  of  steps  further  in  the  dark.  Their  Mother  told 
them  the  figure  they  had  seen  was  doubtless  the  good  angel 
who  watches  over  children. 

Snow-White  and  Eose-Eed  kept  their  Mother’s  cottage 
so  clean  that  it  was  a pleasure  to  enter  it.  Every  morning 
in  the  summer-time  Eose-Eed  would  first  put  the  house  in 
order,  and  then  gather  a nosegay  for  her  Mother,  in  which 
she  always  placed  a bud  from  each  rose-tree.  Every  win- 
ter’s morning  Snow-White  would  light  the  fire  and  put  the 
kettle  on  to  boil,  and  although  the  kettle  was  made  of 
copper  it  yet  shone  like  gold,  because  it  was  scoured  so 
well.  In  the  evenings,  when  the  flakes  of  snow  were  fall- 
ing, the  Mother  would  say,  “ Go,  Snow-White,  and  bolt 
the  door and  then  they  used  to  sit  down  on  the  hearth, 
and  the  mother  would  put  on  her  spectacles  and  read  out 
of  a great  book,  w'hile  her  children  sat  spinning.  By  their 
side,  too,  laid  a little  lamb,  and  on  a perch  behind  them  a 
little  white  dove  reposed  with  her  head  under  her  wing. 

One  evening,  when  they  were  thus  sitting  comfortably 
together,  there  came  a knock  at  the  door  as  if  somebody 
wished  to  come  in.  “ Make  haste,  Eose-Eed,”  cried  her 
Mother ; “ make  haste  and  open  the  door ; perhaps  there  is 
some  traveller  outside  who  needs  shelter.”  So  Eose-Eed 
went  and  drew  the  bolt  and  opened  the  door,  expecting  to 
see  some  poor  man  outside ; but  instead,  a great  fat  Bear 
poked  his  black  head  in.  Eose-Eed  shrieked  out  and  ran 
back,  the  little  lamb  bleated,  the  dove  fluttered  on  her 
perch,  and  Snow-White  hid  herself  behind  her  mother’s 
bed.  The  Bear,  however,  began  to  speak,  and  said,  “ Be 
not  afraid,  I will  do  you  no  harm ; but  I am  half-frozen, 
and  wish  to  come  in  and  warm  myself.” 

“ Poor  Bear !”  cried  the  Mother ; “ come  in  and  lie 


240 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


down  before  the  fire ; but  take  care  you  do  not  burn  your 
skin;”  and  then  she  continued,  “ Come  here,  Rose-Red  and 
Snow-White,  the  Bear  will  not  harm  you,  he  means  hon- 
ourably.” So  they  both  came  back,  and  by  degrees  the 
lamb  too  and  the  dove  overcame  their  fears  and  welcomed 
the  rough  visitor. 

“You  children!”  said  the  Bear,  before  he  entered, 
“come  and  knock  the  snow  off  my  coat.”  And  they 
fetched  their  brooms  and  swept  him  clean.  Then  he 
stretched  himself  before  the  fire  and  grumbled  out  his 
satisfaction  ; and  in  a little  while  the  children  became 
familiar  enough  to  play  tricks  with  the  unwieldy  animal. 
They  pulled  his  long  shaggy  skin,  set  their  feet  upon  his 
back  and  rolled  him  to  and  fro,  and  even  ventured  to  beat 
him  with  a hazel  stick,  laughing  when  he  grumbled.  The 
Bear  bore  all  their  tricks  good  temperedly,  and  if  they  hit 
too  hard  he  cried  out, 

“ Leave  me  my  life,  you  children, 

Snow-White  and  Rose-Red, 

Or  you’ll  never  wed.” 

When  bed  time  came  and  the  others  were  gone,  the 
Mother  said  to  the  Bear,  vYou  may  sleep  here  on  the 
hearth  if  you  like,  and  then  you  will  be  safely  protected 
from  the  cold  and  bad  weather.” 

As  soon  as  day  broke  the  two  children  let  the  Bear  out 
again,  and  he  trotted  away  over  the  snow,  and  ever  after- 
wards he  came  every  evening  at  a certain  hour.  He 
would  lie  down  on  the  hearth  and  allow  the  children  to 
play  with  him  as  much  as  they  liked,  till  by  degrees  they 
became  so  accustomed  to  him  that  the  door  was  left  un- 
bolted till  their  black  friend  arrived. 

But  as  soon  as  spring  returned,  and  everything  out  of 
doors  was  green  again,  the  Bear  on»  morning  told  Snow- 
White  that  he  must  leave  her,  and  could  not  return  during 


Snow-White  and  Eose-Eed. 


241 


the  whole  summer.  “Where  are  you  going,  then,  dear 
Bear?”  asked  Snow-White.  “ I am  obliged  to  go  into  the 
forest  and  guard  my  treasures  from  the  evil  Dwarfs  ; for  in 
winter,  when  the  ground  is  hard,  they  are  obliged  to  keep 
in  their  holes,  and  cannot  work  through ; but  now,  since  the 
sun  has  thawed  the  earth  and  warmed  it,  the  Dwarfs  pierce 
through,  and  steal  all  they  can  find ; and  what  has  once 
passed  into  their  hands,  and  gets  concealed  by  them  in 
their  caves,  is  not  easily  brought  to  light.”  Snow-White, 
however,  was  very  sad  at  the  departure  of  the  Bear,  and 
opened  the  door  so  hesitatingly  that  when  he  pressed 
through  it  he  left  behind  on  the  sneck  a piece  of  his  hairy 
coat ; and  through  the  hole  which  was  made  in  his  coat, 
Snow-White  fancied  she  saw  the  glittering  of  gold ; but 
she  was  not  quite  certain  of  it.  The  Bear,  however,  ran 
hastily  away,  and  was  soon  hidden  behind  the  trees. 

Some  time  afterwards  the  Mother  sent  the  children  into 
the  wood  to  gather  sticks ; and  while  doing  so,  they  came 
to  a tree  which  was  lying  across  the  path,  on  the  trunk  of 
which  something  kept  bobbing  up  and  down  from  the 
grass,  and  they  could  not  imagine  what  it  was.  When 
they  came  nearer  they  saw  a Dwarf,  with  an  old  wrinkled 
face  and  a snow-white  beard  a yard  long.  The  end  of  this 
beard  was  fixed  in  a split  of  the  tree,  and  the  little  man 
kept  jumping  about  like  a dog  tied  by  a chain,  for  he  did 
not  know  how  to  free  himself.  He  glared  at  the  Maidens 
with  his  red  fiery  eyes,  and  exclaimed,  “ Why  do  you  stand 
there  ? are  you  going  to  pass  without  offering  me  any 
assistance?”  “What  have  you  done,  little  man?”  asked 
Eose-Eed.  “ You  stupid,  gaping  goose !”  exclaimed  he. 
“ I wanted  to  have  split  the  tree,  in  order  to  get  a little 
wood  for  my  kitchen,  for  the  little  wood  which  we  use  is 
soon  burnt  up  with  great  faggots,  not  like  what  you  rough 
greedy  people  devour ! I had  driven  the  wedge  in  prop- 
erly, and  everything  was  going  on  well,  when  the  smooth 

VOL.  II. — 11  X 


242 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


wood  flew  upwards,  and  the  tree  closed  so  suddenly  to- 
gether that  I could  not  draw  iny  beautiful  beard  out,  and 
here  it  sticks  and  I cannot  get  away.  There,  don’t  laugh, 
you  milk-faced  things  ! are  you  dumb-founded?” 

The  children  took  all  the  pains  they  could  to  pull  the 
Dwarf’s  beard  out;  but  without  success.  “I  will  run  and 
fetch  some  help,”  cried  Rose-Red  at  length. 

“ Crackbrained  sheep’s-head  that  you  are  !”  snarled  the 
Dwarf;  “what  are  you  going  to  call  other  people  for? 
You  are  two  too  many  now  for  me;  can  you  think  of 
nothing  else?” 

“Don’t  be  impatient,”  replied  Snow-White;  “I  have 
thought  of  something;”  and  pulling  her  scissors  out  of  her 
pocket  she  cut  off  the  end  of  the  beard.  As  soon  as  the 
Dwarf  found  himself  at  liberty,  he  snatched  up  his  sack, 
which  laid  between  the  roots  of  the  tree,  filled  with  gold, 
and  throwing  it  over  his  shoulder  marched  off,  grumbling 
and  groaning  and  crying,  “ Stupid  people ! to  cut  off  a 
piece  of  my  beautiful  beard.  Plague  take  you !”  and  away 
he  went  without  once  looking  at  the  children. 

Some  time  afterwards  Snow-White  and  Rose-Red  went 
a-fishing,  and  as  they  neared  the  pond  they  saw  something 
like  a great  locust  hopping  about  on  the  bank,  as  if  going 
to  jump  into  the  water.  They  ran  up  and  recognised  the 
Dwarf.  “What  are  you  after?”  asked  Rose-Red;  “you 
will  fall  into  the  water.”  “ I am  not  quite  such  a simple- 
ton as  that,”  replied  the  Dwarf : “but  do  you  not  see  this 
fish  will  pull  me  in.”  The  little  man  had  been  sitting  there 
angling,  and  unfortunately  the  wind  had  entangled  his 
beard  with  the  fishing  line ; and  so,  when  a great  fish  bit 
at  the  bait,  the  strength  of  the  weak  little  fellow  was  not 
able  to  draw  it  out,  and  the  fish  had  the  best  of  the  strug- 
gle. The  Dwarf  held  on  by  the  reeds  and  rushes  which 
grew  near ; but  to  no  purpose,  for  the  fish  pulled  him  where 
it  liked,  and  he  must  soon  have  been  drawn  into  the  pond. 


Snow-White  and  Rose-Red. 


243 


Luckily  just  then  the  two  Maidens  arrived,  and  tried  to 
release  the  beard  of  the  Dwarf  from  the  fishing  line;  but 
both  were  too  closely  entangled  for  it  to  be  done.  So  the 
Maiden  pulled  out  her  scissors  again  and  cut  off  another 
piece  of  the  beard.  When  the  Dwarf  saw  this  done  he  was 
in  a great  rage,  and  exclaimed,  “You  donkey!  that  is  the 
way  to  disfigure  my  face.  Was  it  not  enough  to  cut  it 
once,  but  you  must  now  take  away  the  best  part  of  my 
fine  beard?  I dare  not  show  myself  again  now  to  my  own 
people.  I wish  you  had  run  the  soles  off  your  boots  before 
you  had  come  here !”  So  saying,  he  took  up  a bag  of 
pearls  which  laid  among  the  rushes,  and  without  speaking 
another  word,  slipped  off  and  disappeared  behind  a stone. 

Not  many  days  after  this  adventure,  it  chanced  that  the 
Mother  sent  the  two  Maidens  to  the  next  town  to'  buy 
thread,  needles  and  pins,  laces  and  ribbons.  Their  road 
passed  over  a common,  on  which  here  and  there  great 
pieces  of  rock  were  lying  about.  Just  over  their  heads 
they  saw  a great  bird  flying  round  and  round,  and  every 
now  and  then,  dropping  lower  and  lower,  till  at  last  it  flew 
down  behind  a rock.  Immediately  afterwards  they  heard 
a piercing  shriek,  and  running  up  they  saw  with  affright 
that  the  eagle  had  caught  their  old  acquaintance,  the  Dwarf, 
and  was  trying  to  carry  him  off.  . The  compassionate  chil- 
dren thereupon  laid  hold  of  the  little  man,  and  held  him 
fast  till  the  bird  gave  up  the  struggle  and  flew  off.  As 
soon  then  as  the  Dwarf  had  recovered  from  his  fright,  he 
exclaimed  in  his  squeaking  voice,  “ Could  you  not  hold  me 
more  gently?  You  have  seized  my  fine  brown  coat  in 
such  a manner  that  it  is  all  torn  and  full  of  holes,  meddling 
and  interfering  rubbish  that  you  are  1”  With  these  words 
he  shouldered  a bag  filled  with  precious  stones,  and  slipped 
away  to  his  cave  among  the  rocks. 

The  Maidens  were  now  accustomed  to  his  ingratitude, 
and  so  they  walked  on  to  the  town  and  transacted  their 


244 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


business  there.  Coming  home,  they  returned  over  the  same 
common,  and  unawares  walked  up  to  a certain  clean  spot 
on  which  the  Dwarf  had  shaken  out  his  bag  of  precious 
stones,  thinking  nobody  was  near.  The  sun  was  shining, 
and  the  bright  stones  glittered  in  its  beams  and  displayed 
such  a variety  of  colours  that  the  two  Maidens  stopped,  to 
admire  them. 

“ What  are  you  standing  there  gaping  for?”  asked  the 
Dwarf,  while  his  face  grew  as  red  as  copper  with  rage;  he 
was  continuing  to  abuse  the  poor  Maidens,  when  a loud 
roaring  noise  was  heard,  and  presently  a great  black  Bear 
came  rolling  out  of  the  forest.  The  Dwarf  jumped  up 
terrified,  but  he  could  not  gain  his  retreat  before  the  Bear 
overtook  him.  Thereupon,  he  cried  out,  “Spare  me,  my 
dear  Lord  Bear!  I will  give  }rou  all  my  treasures.  See 
these  beautiful  precious  stones  which  lie  here ; only  give 
me  my  life ; for  what  have  you  to  fear  from  a little  weak 
fellow  like  me?  you  could  not  touch  me  with  your  big 
teeth.  There  are  two  wicked  girls,  take  them ; they  would 
make  nice  morsels,  as  fat  as  young  quails ; eat  them  for 
heaven’s  sake.” 

The  Bear,  however,  without  troubling  himself  to  speak, 
gave  the  bad-hearted  Dwarf  a single  blow  with  his  paw, 
and  he  never  stirred  after.- 

The  Maidens  were  then  going  to  run  away,  but  the 
Bear  called  after  them,  “ Snow-White  and  Bose-Bed,  fear 
not ! wait  a bit  and  I will  accompany  you.”  They  recog- 
nised his  voice  and  stopped ; and  when  the  Bear  came,  his 
rough  coat  suddenly  fell  off,  and  he  stood  up  a tall  man, 
dressed  entirely  in  gold.  “I  am  a king’s  son,”  he  said, 
“ and  was  condemned  by  the  wicked  Dwarf,  who  stole  all 
my  treasures,  to  wander  about  in  this  forest,  in  the  form  of 
a bear,  till  his  death  released  me.  How  he  has  received 
his  well-deserved  punishment.” 

Then  they  went  home,  and  Snow-White  was  married  to 


Snow-White  and,  Rose-Red. 


245 


the  prince,  and  Rose-Red  to  his  brother,  with  whom  they 
shared  the  immense  treasure  which  the  Dwarf  had  collected. 
The  old  Mother  also  lived  for  many  years  happily  with  her 
two  children,  and  the  rose-trees  which  had  stood  before  the 
cottage  were  planted  now  before  the  palace,  and  produced 
every  year  beautiful  red  and  white  roses. 


T' 


CXLII. 


The  Family  Servants. 


WHERE  are  you  going  to?”  * “ To  Walpe.” 

“ I to  Walpe,  you  to  Walpe ; so,  so,  together  we  go.” 


“ Have  you  got  a husband  ? how  do  you  call  your  hus- 


“ Cham.”  “ My  husband  Cham,  your  husband  Cham  ; 
I to  Walpe,  you  to  Walpe;  so,  so,  together  we  go.” 

“ Have  you  got  a child?  how  do  you  call  your  child  ?” 
“Grild.”  “My  child  Grild,  your  child  Grild;  my  hus- 
band Cham,  your  husband  Cham;  I to  Walpe,  you  to 
Walpe;  so,  so,  together  we  go.” 

“ Have  you  got  a cradle-?  how  do  you  call  your  cradle?” 
“ Hippodadle.”  “ My  cradle  Hippodadle,  your  cradle 
Hippodadle ; my  child  Grild,  your  child  Grild ; my  bus- 
band  Cham,  your  husband  Cham ; I to  Walpe,  you  to 
Walpe  ; so,  so,  together  we  go.” 

“ Have  you  got  a man?  how  do  you  call  your  man?” 

“ Do-as-well-as-you-can.”  “ My  man  Do-as-well-as-you- 
can,  your  man  Do-as-well-as-you-can ; my  cradle  Hippo- 
dadle, your  cradle  Hippodadle  ; my  child  Grild,  your  child 
Grild ; my  husband  Cham,  your  husband  Cham ; I to 
Walpe,  you  to  Walpe;  so,  so,  together  we  go.” 


band?” 


CXLIII. 


The  Turnip. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  were  two  brothers  who  had 
both  served  as  soldiers,  but  one  had  got  riches  while 
the  other  remained  poor.  So  the  poor  man,  in  order  to 
help  himself  out  of  his  difficulties,  drew  off  his  soldiering 
coat  and  turned  ploughman.  He  dug  and  ploughed  over 
his  piece  of  land,  and  then  sewed  some  turnip  seed.  Soon 
the  seed  began  to  show  itself  above  ground,  and  there  grew 
one  turnip  immensely  large  and  thick,  which  seemed  as  if 
it  would  never  have  done  growing,  but  was  a princess 
among  turnips ; and  as  there  had  never  before  been  seen 
such  a turnip,  so  also  there  has  never  been  such  another 
since.  At  length  it  was  such  a size,  that  it  filled  of  itself 
a whole  cart,  and  two  oxen  were  required  to  draw  it ; but 
the  poor  man  knew  not  what  to  do  with  it,  or  whether  it 
would  be  the  making  of  his  fortune,  or  just  the  contrary. 
At  last  he  thought  to  himself  that  if  he  sold  it  he  should 
not  get  very  much  for  it;  and  as  to  eating  it,  why  the 
ordinary  sized  turnips  would  do  as  well ; and  so  he  re- 
solved to  take  it  to  the  King  and  offer  it  to  him.  So 
thinking,  he  laid  it  on  a cart,  and  harnessing  two  oxen, 
took  bis  turnip  to  court  and  presented  it  to  the  King. 
“ What  curious  thing  is  this  ?”  asked  the  King ; “ such  a 
wonderful  sight  I have  never  before  seen,  though  I have 
looked  at  some  curiosities ; pray  from  what  seed  was  this 
grown  ? or  are  you  a luck-child  who  have  picked  it  up  ?” 

“ Oh  no,”  said  the  man,  “ I am  no  luck-child,  but  only 
a poor  soldier,  who,  because  he  could  not  get  enough  to 
live  on,  has  pulled  off  his  uniform  and  turned  to  tilling 
land.  I have  got  a brother  who  is  rich  and  well  known 


248 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


to  you,  your  majesty,  but  I,  because  I have  nothing,  am 
forgotten  by  all.” 

Thereupon  the  King  took  compassion  on  the  poor 
Soldier,  and  said  to  him,  “ Your  poverty  shall  be  put  an 
end  to,  and  you  shall  receive  so  much  from  me  that  you 
shall  be  equal  to  your  rich  brother.”  So  saying,  the  King 
presented  the  man  with  much  gold,  land,  flocks,  and  herds, 
and  made  him  thereby  so  rich  that  his  brother’s  property 
was  not  to  be  compared  with  his.  When  the  latter  heard 
what  his  brother  had  gained  by  a single  turnip,  he  envied 
him,  and  revolved  in  his  own  mind  how  he  could  manage 
to  happen  with  the  like  luck.  He  thought  he  would  be 
much  cleverer,  and  took  to  the  King  gold  and  horses  as 
a present,  thinking  no  less  than  that  he  would  receive 
a much  handsomer  present;  since  his  brother  had  been 
treated  so  liberally  for  a mere  turnip,  what  would  not  his 
generous  present  be  requited  with ! The  King  received 
the  present  very  graciously,  and  told  the  Soldier  he  could 
give  him  in  return  nothing  richer  or  rarer  than  the  mag- 
nificent turnip  ! So  the  wealthy  soldier  was  obliged  to  lay 
the  turnip  upon  his  carriage  and  drive  it  home  with  him. 
When  he  reached  his  house  he  knew  not  what  to  do  with 
himself  for  vexation  and  rage,  till  b}'  degrees  wicked 
thoughts  took  possession  of  him,  and  he  resolved  to  kill 
his  brother.  So  he  hired  some  murderers,  whom  he  placed 
in  ambush,  and  then  going  to  his  brother,  he  said  to  him, 
“ I know  a secret  treasure,  my  dear  brother,  which  we  will 
obtain  and  share  together.”  The  good  brother  was  de- 
ceived by  these  words,  and  unsuspectingly  accompanied 
the  wicked  one.  But  as  they  went  along  the  murderers 
burst  out  upon  them,  and  binding  the  good  man  prepared 
to  hang  him  on  a tree.  But  while  they  were  about  it  a 
sudden  shouting  and  laughing  was  heard  at  a distance, 
which  frightened  the  assassins  so  much  that  they  tumbled 
their  prey  head  over  heels  into  a sack,  and  suspended  him 


The  Turnip. 


249 


on  a bough,  and  then  took  flight.  The  Soldier,  however, 
worked  himself  about  in  the  sack  till  he  got  his  head 
through  a hole  at  the  top,  and  then  he  perceived  that  the 
noise  which  had  saved  him  was  made  by  a Student,  a 
young  fellow  who  was  singing  and  shouting  snatches  of 
songs  as  he  walked  along.  As  soon  as  this  Student  was 
just  under  the  tree,  the  man  in  the  sack  called  out,  “I 
hope  you  are  well  at  this  lucky  moment.”  The  Scholar 
looked  about  him  and  wondered  where  the  voice  came 
from,  for  he  could  see  nobody ; at  last  he  said,  “ Who  calls 
me  ?”  “ Eaise  your  eyes  and  you  will  see  me  sitting  above 
here  in  wisdom’s  sack.  In  a short  time  I have  learnt  great 
things ; in  fact,  this  place  beats  all  schools  hollow ! In  a 
little  while  I shall  have  learnt  everything,  and  then  I shall 
descend  and  mix  with  my  fellow  men.  I understand 
astronomy  and  the  signs  of  heaven,  the  motion  of  all  the 
winds,  the  sand  in  the  sea,  the  art  of  healing  the  sick,  the 
virtue  of  every  herb,  birds  and  stones  ! Were  you  once  in 
this  place  you  would  feel  what  a noble  thing  it  is  to  sit  in 
the  sack  of  wisdom !” 

When  the  Scholar  heard  all  this  he  was  astonished,  and 
said,  “ Blessed  be  the  hour  in  which  I found  you ! can  I 
not  also  come  a little  while  into  the  sack  ?” 

“For  a short  time  I will  allow  you  to  take  my  place  in 
consideration  of  some  reward  and  your  fair  speech;  but 
you  must  first  wait  an  hour,  for  there  is  one  piece  of  learn- 
ing which  I have  not  yet  fully  mastered.” 

The  Scholar  accordingly  sat  down  to  wait,  but  the  time 
appeared  to  him  terribly  long,  and  he  soon  began  to  pray 
to  be  allowed  to  take  his  place,  because  his  thirst  for  wis- 
dom was  so  great.  The  man  in  the  sack  at  length  pitied 
his  impatience,  and  told  him  to  let  the  sack  down  carefully 
by  the  rope  which  *held  it,  and  then  he  should  get  in. 
Thereupon  the  Scholar  let  him  down,  and,  opening  the 
mouth  of  the  sack,  delivered  the  man,  and  as  soon  as  he 
VOL.  II. — 11*  i 


250  Grimm's  Household  Stories. 

had  done  so  he  got  into  the  sack,  and  said,  "Hoiv  pull  me 
up  quickly !” 

“Stop,  stop!”  cried  the  other;  “that  is  not  quite 
right;”  and  laying  hold  of  the  Scholar  by  the  shoulders 
he  thrust  him  head  downwards  into  the  sack.  Then  he 
pulled  the  neck  to,  and,  fastening  the  rope  on,  swung  the 
sack  up  on  the  bough  of  the  tree,  while  he  exclaimed, 
“ How  do  you  feel  now,  my  good  fellow  ? do  you  find  that 
wisdom  comes  with  your  experience?  Sit  quietly  there 
till  you  become  wiser.” 

AYith  these  words  he  mounted  the  Student’s  horse  and 
rode  off ; but  in  an  hour’s  time  he  sent  somebody  to  release 
the  poor  Student  in  the  sack. 


CXLIV. 

The  Hen  Roost. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  an  Enchanter  who  col- 
lected around  him  a great  crowd  of  folks,  before  whom 
he  performed  his  wonderful  tricks.  Among  other  things 
he  caused  an  old  hen  to  be  brought  in,  which  raised  a 
heavy  beam  for  a roosting-place,  as  though  it  were  as  light 
as  a feather.  But  there  was  a Girl  standing  by  who  had 
found  a four-bladed  leaf  of  shamrock,  through  which  she 
became  so  wise  that  no  trick  could  deceive  her,  and  she 
saw  the  pretended  beam  was  nothing  but  a straw.  So  she 
cried  out,  “ Do  you  not  see,  you  people,  that  it  is  no  beam, 
but  a straw  which  the  hen  is  carrying?”  Thereupon  the 
enchantment  vanished,  and  the  gazers,  perceiving  the  truth, 
hunted  the  Enchanter  away  with  scorn  and  ridicule. 

Some  time  afterwards  the  Girl  was  to  be  married,  and 
in  a very  smart  dress  she  walked  in  great  state  over  the 
fields  which  led  to  the  church.  All  at  once  she  came  to  a 
large  swollen  stream,  over  which  there  was  no  bridge  or 
plank  to  cross  by.  Thereupon  the  bride  was  in  distress, 
but,  holding  her  dress  up,  she  tried  to  wade  through  the 
water.  But  just  as  she  came  about  the  middle  of  it  a 
voice,  which  was  that  of  the  Enchanter,  cried  derisively, 
“ Ah ! where  are  your  eyes,  that  you  take  this  place  for 
water  ?”  At  these  words  her  eyes  were  opened,  and  she 
perceived  that  she  stood  holding  up  her  dress  in  the  middle 
of  a field  of  corn  flowers.  Then  she  in  her  turn  got 
laughed  at  by  the  spectators ; so  the  Enchanter  turned  the 
tables  upon  her. 


CXLV. 


The  Old 


Beggar- W ornan. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  an  old  Woman,  who 
begged  as  you  may  have  seen  other  old  women  do; 
and  when  anybody  gave  her  anything  she  would  say,  “God 
bless  you  !”  Now  this  old  Beggar-Woman  went  to  a door, 
and  before  the  fire  stood  a good-natured  lad  warming  him- 
self; and.  as  soon  as  he  saw  the  poor  Woman  shivering 
outside,  he  said  to  her,  “ Come  and  warm  yourself.”  She 
went  in ; but  going  too  near  the  fire,  her  old  rags  began  to 
burn  before  she  was  aware  of  it.  The  youth  stood  and 
looked  at  her ; but  should  he  not  have  extinguished  the 
fire?  Certainly — and  if  he  had  no  water  at  hand,  he 
should  have  caused  water  to  flow  out  of  his  eyes  ; and  so 
two  charming  little  streams  would  have  been  given ! 


CXLVI. 


The  Three  Sluggards. 


CERTAIN  King  had  three  Sons,  all  of  whom  he 


loved  so  much  that  he  did  not  know  which  he  should 
name  to  be  King  after  him.  When  the  day  of  his  death 
approached,  he  called  them  to  his  bedside,  and  thus  spoke 
to  them  : “ Dear  children,  I have  something  on  my  mind 
which  I wish  to  tell  you ; whichever  of  you  is  the  laziest, 
he  shall  be  King  when  I am  dead.” 

“ Then,  father,  the  kingdom  belongs  to  me,”  said  the 
eldest  Son ; “ for  I am  so  lazy,  that  if  I lie  down  to  sleep, 
and  tears  come  into  my  eyes,  so  that  I cannot  close  them, 
I yet  go  to  sleep  without  wiping  them  away !” 

“ The  kingdom  belongs  to  me,”  cried  the  second  Son ; 
“for  I am  so  lazy  that  when  I sit  by  the  fire  to  warm 
myself,  I allow  my  boots  to  scorch  before  I will  draw  away 
my  feet.” 

But  the  third  Son  said,  “ The  kingdom  is  mine,  father, 
for  I am  so  lazy  that  were  I about  to  be  hanged,  and  even 
had  I the  rope  round  my  neck,  and  any  one  should  give 
me  a sharp  sword  to  cut  it  with,  I should  suffer  myself  to 
be  swung  off  before  I took  the  trouble  to  cut  the  rope.” 

As  soon  as  the  Father  heard  this  he  said  to  his  young- 
est Son,  “ You  have  shown  yourself  the  laziest  of  all,  and 
you  shall  be  King.” 


CXLVII. 


The  Little  Shepherd  Boy. 


HCE  upon  a time  there  was  a little  Shepherd  Boy  who 


was  famed  far  and  wide  for  the  wise  answers  which 
he  gave  to  every  question.  Now  the  King  of  the  country 
heard  of  this  lad,  but  he  would  not  believe  what  was  said 
about  him,  so  the  Boy  was  ordered  to  come  to  court. 
When  he  arrived  the  Bang  said  to  him,  “ If  you  can  give 
me  answers  to  each  of  the  three  questions  which  I will 
now  put  to  you,  I will  bring  you  up  as  my  own  child,  and 
you  shall  live  here  with  me  in  my  palace.’r 

“What  are  these  three  questions?”  asked  the  Boy. 
“The  first  is,  ‘How  many  drops  of  water  are  there  in 
the  sea  ?’  ” 

“My  Lord  King,”  replied  the  Shepherd  Boy,  “let  all 
the  waters  be  stopped  up  on  the  earth,  so  that  not  one 
drop  shall  run  into  the  sea  before  I count  it,  and  then  I 
will  tell  you  how  many  drops  there  are  in  the  sea !” 

“ The  second  question,”  said  the  King,  “ is,  ‘ How  many 
stars  are  there  in  the  sky?’  ” 

“Give  me  a large  sheet  of  paper,”  said  the  Boy;  and 
then  he  made  in  it  with  a pin  so  many  minute  holes  that 
they  were  far  too  numerous  to  see  or  to  count,  and  dazzled 
the  eyes  of  whomever  looked  at  them.  This  done  he  said, 
“ So  many  stars  are  there  in  the  sky  as  there  are  holes 
in  this  paper ; now  count  them.”  But  nobody  was  able. 
Thereupon  the  King  said,  “ The  third  question  is,  ‘ How 
many  seconds  are  there  in  eternity  ?’  ” 

“ In  Lower  Pomerania  is  situate  the  adamantine  moun- 
tain, one  mile  in  height,  one  mile  in  breadth,  and  one  mile 
deep;  and  thither  comes  a bird  once  in  every  thousand 


The  Little  Shepherd  Boy. 


255 


years  which  rubs  its  beak  against  the  hill,  and,  when  the 
whole  shall  be  rubbed  away,  then  will  the  first  second  of 
eternity  be  gone  by.” 

“ You  have  answered  the  three  questions  like  a sage,” 
said  the  King,  “and  from  henceforward  you  shall  live 
with  me  in  my  palace,  and  I will  treat  you  as  my  own 
child.” 


C XL  VIII. 

The  Unclutiful  Son. 


ONCE  upon  a time  a man  and  his  wife  were  sitting  before 
their  house-door,  with  a roast  fowl  on  a table  between 
them,  which  they  were  going  to  eat  together.  Presently 
the  man  saw  his  old  father  coming,  and  he  quickly  snatched 
up  the  fowl  and  concealed  it,  because  he  grudged  sharing 
it  even  with  his  own  parent.  The  old  man  came,  had  a 
draught  of  water,  and  then  went  away  again.  As  soon  as 
he  was  gone  his  son  went  to  fetch  the  roast  fowl  again ; 
but  when  he  touched  it  he  saw  that  it  was  changed  into  a 
toad,  which  sprang  upon  his  face  and  squatted,  there,  and 
would  not  go  away.  When  any  one  tried  to  take  it  off,  it 
spat,  out  poison  and  seemed  about  to  spring  in  the  face,  so 
that  at  length  nobody  dared  to  meddle  with  it.  Now,  this 
toad  the  undutiful  son  was  compelled  to  feed,  lest  it  should 
feed  on  his  flesh;  and  with  this  companion  he  moved 
wearily  about  from  place  to  place,  and  had  no  rest  any- 
where in  this  world. 


CXLIX. 


Star  Dollars. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a little  Girl  whose  father 
and  mother  were  dead ; and  she  became  so  poor  that 
she  had  no  roof  to  shelter  herself  under,  and  no  bed  to 
sleep  in ; and  at  last  she  had  nothing  left  but  the  clothes 
on  her  back,  and  a loaf  of  bread  in  her  hand,  which  a 
compassionate  body  had  given  to  her.  But  she  was  a good 
and  pious  little  Girl,  and  when  she  found  herself  forsaken 
by  all  the  world,  she  went  out  into  the  fields  trusting  on 
God.  Soon  she  met  a poor  Man,  who  said  to  her,  “ Give 
me  something  to  eat,  for  I am  so  hungry.”  She  handed 
him  the  whole  loaf;  and,  with  a “God  bless  you!”  walked 
on  further.  Next  she  met  a little  Girl  crying  very  much, 
who  said  to  her,  “ Pray  give  me  something  to  cover  my 
head  with,  for  it  is  so  cold !”  So  she  took  off  her  own 
bonnet,  and  gave  it  away.  And  in  a little  while  she  met 
another  Child  who  had  no  cloak,  and  to  her  she  gave  her 
own  cloak.  Then  she  met  another  who  had  no  dress  on, 
and  to  this  one  she  gave  her  own  frock.  By  that  time  it 
was  growing  dark,  and  our  little  Girl  entered  a forest ; and 
presently  she  met  a fourth  Maiden,  who  begged  something, 
and  to  her  she  gave  her  petticoat ; for,  thought  our  heroine, 
“It  is  growing  dark,  and  nobody  will  see  me,  I can  give 
away  this.”  And  now  she  had  scarcely  anything  left  to 
cover  herself;  and  just  then  some  of  the  stars  fell  down 
in  the  form  of  silver  dollars,  and  among  them  she  found  a 
petticoat  of  the  finest  linen ! and  in  that  she  collected  the 
star-money,  which  made  her  rich  all  the  rest  of  her  life- 
time ! • 


The  Stolen  Farthings. 


ONCE  upon  a time  a Father  sat  at  table  with  his  wife 
and  children,  and  with  them  was  a good  Friend  who 
had  come  on  a visit.  "While  they  sat  eating,  it  struck 
twelve,  and  then  the  Friend  saw  the  door  open,  and  a 
Child,  pale  as  death,  dressed  in  snow-white  garments,  come 
in.  It  did  not  look  round  or  speak,  but  went  straight  into 
the  next  room.  Soon  it  returned  and  went  as  silently  out 
at  the  door  again.  The  second  and  the  third  day  it  hap- 
pened the  same,  and  then  the  Friend  asked  the  Father  to 
whom  the  Child  belonged  which  entered  the  house  every 
day  at  noontime.  “ I have  not  seen  it,  nor  do  I know  to 
whom  it  belongs,”  said  the  Father.  So  the  following  day 
when  the  Child  came  the  Friend  pointed  it  out  to  the 
Father,  but  he  could  not  see  it,  nor  the  Mother  either,  nor 
her  children.  Then  the  Friend  got  up,  and,  going  to  the 
chamber  door,  opened  it  a little  and  peeped  in.  There  he 
saw  the  Child  sitting  on  the  ground,  digging  and  picking 
industriously  between  the  crevices  of  the  boards;  but  as 
soon  as  it  perceived  the  stranger  it  disappeared.  The 
Friend  now  told  the  Father  what  he  had  seen,  and  described 
the  child  exactly,  whereupon  the  Mother  recognised  his 
description,  and  said,  “Ah!  that  is  my  dear  Child  who 
died  four  weeks  ago.”  Then  they  broke  up  the  boards 
of  the  room  and  found  beneath  them  two  Farthings  which 
the  Child  had  once  received  from  his  Mother  to  give  to  a 
poor  man,  but  he  had  thought  to  himself,  “One  can  buy 
biscuits  with  these,”  and  so  he  had  kept  the  Farthings  and 
dropped  them  between  the  boards.  And  on  that  account 


The  Stolen  Farthings.  259 

he  had  no  rest  in  his  grave,  and  every  mid-day  he  was 
compelled  to  come  and  seek  for  the  Farthings. 

So  the  parents  gave  the  Farthings  to  a poor  man,  and 
the  Child  was  never  once  seen  again. 


CLI. 


The  Bride  Choosing, 


HERE  was  once  a 3roung  Shepherd  who  wished  to  get 


married ; but  although  he  knew  three  Sisters,  each 
one  was  as  pretty  as  the  others,  and  the  choice  was  there- 
fore so  difficult,  that  he  did  not  know  to  which  to  give  the- 
preference.  So  he  asked  his  Mother’s  advice ; and  she  told 
him  to  invite  all  three  of  them  to  supper,  and  to  place  a 
cheese  before  them  and  observe  how  they  cut  it.  The 
youth  did  so;  and  the  first  Sister  ate  her- cheese,  rind  and 
all ; the  second  cut  off  the  rind  so  hastily,  that  she  cut 
with  it  some  of  the  good  cheese  and  threw  it  all  away ; 
but  the  third  Sister  pared  the  rind  off  very  carefully, 
neither  too  much  nor  too  little.  The  Shepherd  thereupon 
told  all  this  to  his  Mother,  and  she  said,  “ Take  the  youngest 
Sister  to  wife.” 

And  he  did  so,  and  lived  contentedly  and  happily  with 
her  all  his  life  long. 


CLII. 

The  Shreds. 


ONCE  upon  a time  there  was  a Maiden  who  was  very 
pretty,  hut  lazy  and  careless.  When  she  used  to  spin, 
she  was  so  impatient  that,  if  there  chanced  to  be  a little 
’ knot  in  the  thread,  she  snapped  off  a long  bit  with  it  and 
threw  the  pieces  down  on  the  ground  near  her.  Now  she 
had  a Servant-Girl,  who  was  industrious,  and  used  to  gather 
together  the  shreds  of  thread,  clean  them,  and  weave  them, 
till  she  had  made  herself  a dress  with  them. 

And  a young  Man  had  fallen  in  love  with  this  lazy 
Maiden ; and  their  wedding-day  was  appointed.  On  the 
evening  before,  the  industrious  Servant-Girl  kept  dancing 
about  in  her  fine  dress,  till  the  Bride  exclaimed : — 

“ Ah ! how  the  Girl  does  jump  about, 

Dressed  in  my  shreds  and  leavings !” 

When  the  Bridegroom  heard  this,  he  asked  the  Bride  what 
she  meant,  and  she  told  him  that  the  Maid  had  worked 
herself  a dress  with  the  shreds  of  thread  which  she  had 
thrown  away.  As  soon  as  the  Bridegroom  heard  this,  and 
saw  the  difference  between  the  laziness  of  his  intended  and 
the  industry  of  her  Servant,  he  gave  up  the  Mistress,  and 
chose  the  Maid  for  his  wife. 


CLIII. 


The  Sparrow  and  his  Four 

Children. 


SPARROW  had  four  Young  Ones  in  a swallow’s 


nest,  but  just  as  they  were  fledged  some  naughty 
boys  discovered  the  nest  and  pushed  the  birds  out;  but 
happily  a slight  breeze  was  blowing  at  the  time,  and  bore 
them  up.  But  the  Old  Sparrow  was  sorry  because  her 
Children  were  gone  out  into  the  world  before  she  had 
warned  them  of  its  dangers,  or  taught  them  good  manners. 

Now,  in  the  spring  time  a great  many  sparrows  chanced 
to  meet  together  in  a field  of  corn,  and  among  them  the 
old  Sparrow  happily  met  with  his  Young  Ones  and  took 
them  home  with  him  in  great  joy.  “Ah!  my  dear  chil- 
dren,” he  said  to  them,  “wrhat  a trouble  I have  been  in 
about  you  all  the  summer,  while  you  faced  the  world  with- 
out my  advice : now  hear  my  words,  and  attend  to  your 
father,  and  take  care  of  yourselves,  for  little  birds  must 
needs  meet  great  dangers.” 

Thereupon  he  asked  his  eldest  Young  One  where  he 
had  been  during  the  summer,  and  how  he  had  kept  him- 
self. “ I have  been  in  a garden,”  he  replied,  “ eating 
caterpillars  and  worms,  till  the  cherries  were  ripe.”  “Ah  ! 
my  dear  son,”  replied  the  Old  Bird,  “ bill-grubbing  is  not 
so  bad ; but  there  is  great  danger  in  it ; therefore  keep  a 
good  look  out,  especially  if  people  come  into  the  garden 
carrying  long  green  poles,  which  are  nevertheless  hollow, 
and  have  a small  hole  at  the  top !” 

“ Yes,  my  dear  father,”  replied  the  young  Sparrow ; 
“but  what  if  a green  leaf  is  stuck  with  was  over  that 
little  hole?”  ‘“Where  have  you  so  seen  it?”  inquired 


The  Sparrow. and  his  Four  Children.  268 

the  father.  “ In  a merchant’s  garden,”  was  the  reply. 
“Oh!  my  son,”  cried  the  Old  Bird,  “merchants  are  crafty 
people ; truly  you  have  been  among  the  world’s  children, 
and  have  seen  their  cunning  ways ; take  care  now  that  you 
make  a good  use  of  what  you  have. learnt;  and  do  not  be 
too  confiding.” 

Then  he  asked  the  second  Young  One  where  he  had 
been.  “ At  court,”  he  replied.  “ Sparrows  and  those  sort 
of  birds  do  not  belong  to  such  places  as  that,”  said  the 
father ; “ at  court  there  are  much  gold,  velvet,  silk,  armour, 
harness,  and  such  birds  as  hawks,  falcons,  and  owls.  l)o 
you  keep  to  the  stables  where  they  store  the  oats,  or  thrash 
' out  the  corn,  and  then  you  can  satisfy  your  wants  with  a 
daily  supply  of  food.”  “Yes,  father,”  said  the  son;  “but 
if  the  boys,  weave  their  straw  into  knots  and  meshes,  many 
a one  may  get  hanged  by  them.” 

“Where  have  you  seen  that?”  asked  the  Old  Bird. 

“ At  court  among  the  stable  boys.” 

“ Ah ! my  son,  stable  boys  are  bad  boys ! If  you  have 
been  alrcourt  with  the  fine  lords,  and  yet  have  left  behind 
you  no  feathers,  you  have  learnt  carefully,  and  know  how 
to  behave  yourself  in  the  world ; still  keep  a sharp  watch, 
for  the  wolves  often  eat  the  cleverest  dogs.” 

“And  where  have  you  sought  your  living?”  asked  the 
Old  Bird  of  his  third  Young  One.  “ On  the  highways  and 
byways  I have  turned  over  tubs  and  ropes,  and  so  now 
and  then  I have  happened  with  corn  and  barley  seed.” 

“ That  is,  indeed,  a fine  subsistence,”  said  the  father ; 
“but  mind  you  observe  the  hedges,  and  see  that  no  one 
bends  down  to  pick  up  a stone ; for  if  so,  it  is  time  for  you 
to  start.” 

“ That  is  true,”  said  the  young  Bird ; “ but  what  if  one 
should  carry  little  pebbles  in  his  bosom  or  pocket  before 
stone  walls?” 

“Where  have  you  seen  that?” 

“ With  the  miners,  dear  father,”  he  replied ; “ for  when 


264 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


they  travel  about  they  carry  with  them  secretly  stones  to 
throw  at  people.” 

“ Oh,  miners,  working  people,  curious  people  they ! If 
you  have  been  among  them  you  have  seen  and  experienced 
a great  deal.” 

At  last  the  father  came  to  the  youngest  son,  and  said, 

“ Ah  ! my  dear  Cacklenestle,  you  were  always  the  weakest 
and  most  foolish ; do  you  stop  with  me,  the  world  has  so 
many  wicked  and  rough  birds  with  sharp  beaks  and  long 
claws,  who  attack  and  devour  all  the  little  birds:  keep 
you  with  me,  and  let  the  worms  and  spiders  on  the  trees 
and  ground  near  us  content  you.” 

“ Ah ! my  dear  father,  he  who  finds  his  own  living  • 
without  injury  to  others,  he  fares  well,  and  no  hawk,  owl, 
eagle,  or  falcon  shall  harm  him ; for  at  all  times,  and  every 
morning' and  evening  he  desires  of  God  his  daily  food, — 
of  God  who  is  both  the  Creator  and  Protector  of  all  the 
forest  and  village  birds,  and  who  also  feeds  the  young 
ravens,  and  hears  their  cries,  for  without  His  will  no  spar- 
row nor  starling  falls  to  the  ground.” 

“Where  did  you  learn  all  this?”  cried  the  Old  Bird, 
astonished. 

“ When  the  breeze  took  me  away,”  replied  the  Bird, 
“I  came  to  a church,  where  I spent  the  summer  in  eating 
the  flies  and  spiders  off  the  windows,  and  there  I heard  the 
sermon  preached,  for  the  Father  of  all  Sparrows  nourished 
'me  through  the  summer,  and  kept  me  from  all  misfortune 
and  fierce  birds !” 

“True,  my  dear  son,”  said  the  Old  Bird;  “fly  back  to 
the  church  and  keep  the  flies  and  spiders  from  the  win- 
dows. Also  forget  not  to  chirp  to  God  like  the  ravens, 
and  pray  to  the  Creator  daily,  and  so  you  will  keep  well, 
were  the  whole  world  full  of  wild  knavish  birds : for  he 
who  commends  his  affairs  to  God,  endures  all,  prays,  ahd 
is  gentle  and  kind,  keeps  his  faith  strictly,  and  his  con- 
science clear,  him  God  will  ever  protect  and  defend.” 


CLIV. 

The  Tale  of  Schlauraffenland. 


I WAS  once  in  Schlauraffenland,  which  some  folks  call 
“Fool’s  Paradise,”  and  there  saw  I Eome  and  the 
Lateran  hanging  by  a silken  thread,  a footless  man  who 
outran  a quick  horse,  and  a sword  sharp  as  a razor  which 
formed  a bridge.  There  I saw,  too,  a young  ass  with  a 
silver  nose,  which  was  coursing  two  hares,  and  a lime-tree 
full  of  foliage,  whereon  grew  hot  pancakes.  There,  too,  I 
saw  a clumsy  old  goat,  which  carried  on  its  back  a hundred 
cartloads  of  grease  and  sixty  cartloads  of  salt.  Is  not  that 
enough  ? 

There,  also,  I saw  a plough  going  without  horse  or 
wheels,  and  a one-year-old  child  threw  four  mill-stones 
from  Ratisbon  to  Treves,  and  from  Treves  away  to  Stras- 
burg,  and  a hawk  swam  over  the  Rhine  without  difficulty ! 
There  too  I heard  fishes  caught  with  one  another’s  cries, 
and  sweet  honey  flowed  like  water  out  of  a deep  valley  up 
a high  mountain ! 

There  were  also  two  crows  which  mowed  a meadow, 
and  I saw  two  flies  building  a bridge,  and  two  doves  tear- 
ing a wolf ; two  children  who  threw  down  two  kids,  and 
two  frogs  threshing  corn  with  might  and  main ! 

There  I saw  two  mice  consecrate  a bishop ; two  cats 
who  scratched  out  a bear’s  tongue,  and  a snail  which  slew 
two  lions.  There  stood  a barber  who  shaved  off  his  wife’s 
beard,  and  two  sucking  children  who  rocked  their  mother 
in  a cradle ! There  I saw  two  greyhounds  dragging  a mill 
out  of  the  water,  and  an  old  horse-knacker,  who  said  it  was 
all  right ; and  in  a stable  stood  four  horses  kneading  dough 
VOL.  it. — 12  7. 


266 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


with  all  their  strength,  and  two  goats  which  heated  the 
oven,  and  a red  cow  put  the  bread  into  the  oven.  There, 
also,  a cock  crowed,  “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” 

“ Mj  tale  is  over ! Cock-a-doodle-doo !” 


CLV. 


The  Lying  Tale*. 


I WILL  tell  you  something.  I saw  two  roast  hens  flying ; 

they  flew  quickly,  and  had  their  heads  to  the  sky  and 
their  tails  to  the  ground ! I saw  an  anvil  and  a millstone 
swimming  over  the  Rhine,  but  slowly  and  lightly,  and  a 
frog  sat  and  ate  a ploughshare  at  Whitsuntide  on  the  ice. 
There  were  three  fellows  wished  to  catch  a hare,  and  went 
upon  crutches  and  stilts ; the  one  was  deaf,  the  second 
blind,  and  the  third  dumb,  and  the  fourth  could  not  stir  a 
foot.  Do  you  wish  to  know  how  that  happened  ? The 
blind  man  saw  the  hare  coursing  over  the  fields,  the  dumb 
man  called  to  the  lame  one,  and  he  caught  the  hare  by 
the  neck. 

There  were  some  fellows  who  wished  to  sail  on  dry 
land,  and  they  spread  the  sail,  and  were  carried  over  the 
meadows;  but  when  they  attempted  to  get  up  a high 
mountain  they  were  miserably  drowned.  A crab  was 
hunting  a hare,  and  high  upon  the  roof  lay  a cow  which 
had  climbed  there.  In  this  land  flies  are  as  big  as  goats. 
Pray  open  the  window  that  these  lies  may  escape. 


CL  VI. 


A Puzzling  Tale. 


HREE  Women  were  once  changed  into  flowers,  and 


-®-  grew  in  a field ; but  one  of  them  was  permitted  to  go 
home  at  night.  So  one  time  she  said  to  her  Husband, 
when  day  was  dawning  and  she  was  about  to  return  to  her 
companions  in  the  field  and  become  a flower  again,  “ This 
noontime  come  and  break  me  off,  and  then  I shall  be  re- 
leased and  be  able  to  dwell  with  you  in  future,” — and  thus 
it  happened. 

But  now  the  question  is  how  the  Husband  knew  his 
Wife ; for  all  the  flowers  were  alike  and  had  no  difference 
at  all  between  them.  The  answer  is  this : during  the 
night  which  she  passed  at  home  with  her  Husband,  the 
dew  fell  upon  her  two  companions  which  were  in  the  field ; 
and  so  he  knew  his  Wife,  because  there  was  no  dew  on  her 
flower ! 


CL  VII. 

Wise  Hans. 


HOW  happy  is  the  man,  and  how  well  his  affairs  go  on 
at  home,  who  has  a wise  hoy  who  listens  to  every 
word  that  is  said  to  him,  and  then  goes  and  acts  according 
to  his  own  discretion ! Such  a wise  Hans  was  once  sent 
by  his  Master  to  look  for  a lost  cow.  He  remained  a long 
while  absent ; but  the  Master  thought,  “ My  trusty  Hans 
spares  himself  no  trouble  in  his  work  !”  When,  however, 
a still  longer  time  had  elapsed,  and  the  Boy  did  not  return, 
his  Master  began  to  fear  something  had  happened,  so  he 
made  himself  ready  to  go  in  search  of  him.  He  looked 
about  for  a long  while,  and  at  length  found  Hans  running 
up  and  down  in  a wide  field.  “How,  my  good  Hans,” 
cried  his  master  when  he  had  overtaken  him,  “ have  you 
found  the  cow  which  I sent  you  after  ?” 

“ No,  Master,”  he  replied,  “ I have  not  found  the  Cow, 
for  I have  not  looked  for  it.” 

“ What  have  you  been  looking  for  then,  Hans?”  asked 
the  Master. 

“ Something  better,  and  I have  found  it  too,  luckily.” 

“ What  is  it,  Hans  ?” 

“ Three  Blackbirds,”  answered  the  Boy. 

“ And  where  are  they  ?”  continued  his  Master. 

“ One  I hear,  the  second  I see,  and  the  third  I am 
hunting,”  said  the  Boy. 

Take  now  example  by  this;  do  not  trouble  yourself 
with  your  Master’s  business  or  his  orders ; but  do  rather 
whatever  may  please  you  at  the  moment,  and  then  you  will 
be  reckoned  as  fine  a fellow  as  this  wise  Hans. 


CL  VIII. 


The  Glass  Coffin. 


EVER  tell  a body  that  a tailor  cannot  travel  far,  and 


arrive  at  as  high  an  honour  as  he  chooses.  Nothing 
more  is  necessary  than  that  he  should  go  to  the  right  spot, 
and  what  is  of  most  consequence,  that  he  should  have  good 


Such  a clever  and  nimble  Tailor’s  lad  went  out  once 
upon  his  wanderings,  and  came  to  a great  forest,  in  which, 
because  he  did  not  know  the  road,  he  lost  his  way.  Night 
overtook  him,  and  there  was  nothing  else  for  him  to  do  but 
to  seek  a bed  in  this  frightful  solitude.  He  could  have 
easily  made  a good  bed  on  the  soft  moss,  had  he  not  been 
afraid  of  the  wild  beasts,  the  thought  of  which  disquieted 
him  so  much  that  he  resolved  at  length  to  pass  the  night 
on  a tree.  He  picked  out  a lofty  oak,  to  the  top  of  which 
he  climbed,  and  thanked  heaven  that  he  had  brought  his 
goose  with  him,  so  that  the  wind  which  whistled  among  the 
trees,  could  not  blow  him  away.  After  he  had  spent  some 
hours  in  the  darkness,  not  without  trembling  and  shiver- 
ing, he  perceived  at  a short  distance  the  glimmering  of  a 
candle,  and  thinking  that  it  might  be  the  habitation  of 
some  man,  where  he  could  find  a better  resting-place  than 
on  the  boughs  of  his  trees,  he  cautiously  descended,  and 
walked  towards  the  light.  Presently  he  came  to  a little 
hut,  built  of  reeds  and  rushes,  and,  knocking  boldly  at  the 
door,  which  opened  of  itself,  he  saw  inside  a very  old  grey- 
headed man,  dressed  in  a frock  made  of  various  coloured 
rags.  “ Who  are  you,  and  what  do  you  want?”  asked  this 
figure  in  a hoarse  voice. 

“I  am  a poor  Tailor,”  he  replied,  “surprised  by  night 


luck. 


The  Glass  Coffin. 


271 


in  this  forest,  and  I pray  you  earnestly  to  keep  me  in  your 
hut  till  the  morning.”  “ Go  your  way,”  cried  the  Old  Man 
peevishly;  “I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  vagabonds, 
seek  a welcome  elsewhere;”  and  so  saying  he  would  have 
pushed  the  man  out  of  the  house.  The  Tailor,  however, 
caught  hold  of  his  coat,  and  begged  so  earnestly,  that  the 
Old  Man,  who  seemed  much  rougher  than  he  really  was, 
yielded  at  length,  and  took  the  Tailor  into  his  hut,  where 
he  gave  him  something  to  eat,  and  then  showed  him  a bed 
in  a corner. 

The  weary  Tailor  needed  no  rocking,  but  slept  soundly 
till  morning,  and  even  then  he  would  not  have  got  up  had 
he  not  been  aroused  by  a loud  cry.  A terrible  screaming 
and  moaning  pierced  through  the  thin  walls  of  the  cottage, 
and  the  Tailor,  excited  by  an  unusual  courage,  jumped  up, 
and,  drawing  his  clothes  on  hastily,  went  out.  Then  he 
saw  near  the  cottage  a great  black  beast  and  a pretty  Goat 
engaged  in  a hot  contest.  They  were  butting  at  one  an- 
other with  so  much  fury  that  the  ground  trembled  under 
their  feet,  and  the  air  resounded  with  their  cries.  For  some 
time  it  was  uncertain  which  would  gain  the  victory ; but  at 
last  .the  Goat  thrust  his  horns  into  his  enemy’s  body  with 
so  much  force  that  the  latter  fell  to  the  ground  with  a fear- 
ful howl,  and  was  soon  despatched  with  a stroke  or  two 
more  on  the  part  of  the  Goat. 

The  Tailor,  who  had  watched  the  fight  with  astonish- 
ment, was  still  standing  by  at  its  close,  and  as  soon  as  the 
Goat  perceived  him,  it  rushed  at  him,  and,  catching  him  up 
on  its  horns  before  he  could  escape,  bolted  away  with  him 
over  hedge  and  ditch,  hill  and  valley,  meadow  and  wood. 
He  held  fast  to  the  horns  with  both  his  hands  (for  he  had 
managed  to  get  on  the  goat’s  back),  and  resigned  himself 
to  his  fate ; but  it  came  sooner  than  he  expected,  for  at  last 
the  Goat  stopped  before  a ridge  of  rocks,  and  let  the  Tailor 
softly  down  to  the  ground.  More  dead  than  alive,  h®  laid 


272 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


for  a long  time  before  be  recovered  his  senses,  and  when  he 
did  so,  the  Goat,  which  had  remained  by  him  all  the  time, 
thrust  his  horns  with  such  force  into  a seeming  door  in  the 
rock  that  it  split  open.  Flames  of  fire  came  out,  and  pres- 
ently a great  smoke  followed  which  hid  the  Goat  from  the 
eyes  of  the  Tailor,  who  now  knew  not  what  to  do,  nor 
where  to  turn  to  get  out  of  the  wilderness.  "While  he  stood 
considering,  a voice  came  from  the  rock,  which  said,  “ Step 
in  hither  without  fear,  and  no  harm  shall  happen  to  you.” 
The  Tailor  hesitated;  but  drawn  by  an  invisible  power, 
he  obeyed  the  voice,  and,  passing  through  the  iron  door,  he 
found  himself  in  an  immense  hall,  whose  roof,  walls  and 
floor  were  formed  of  bright  and  polished  square  stones,  on 
each  of  which  characters  unknown  to  him  were  engraved. 
He  observed  everything  with  wonder,  and  was  on  the  point 
of  making  his  way  out  again,  when  the  voice  said,  “ Step 
upon  the  stone  which  lies  in  the  middle  of  the  hall,  and 
there  await  your  fate.” 

The  Tailor’s  courage  was  up  now,  and  he  walked  to  the 
spot  indicated,  and  presently  the  stone  give  way  beneath 
him,  and  sank  slowly  deeper  and  deeper.  When  it  stopped, 
and  the  Tailor  looked  about  him,  he  saw  another  large 
chamber  like  the  first  in  extent,  but  there  was  much  more 
to  attract  his  attention  and  wonder.  In  the  walls  were  cut 
recesses,  in  which  stood  vessels  of  clear  glass,  some  filled 
with  coloured  fluids,  and  others  with  a bluish  smoke.  On 
the  ground  of  the  hall  stood,  opposite  each  other,  two  great 
glass  chests,  which  at  once  excited  his  wonder.  He  stepped 
up  to  them,  and  found  that  one  contained  a handsome  build- 
ing similar  to  a castle,  with  farm  buildings,  stables,  and  out- 
houses attached,  and  surrounded  by  all  other  necessaries. 
Everything  was  diminutive,  but  made  so  carefully  and 
delicately  that  it  must  have  been  executed  with  the  great- 
est ingenuity  by  a cunning  workman.  The  Tailor  could 
scarcely  take  his  eyes  away  from  this  curiosity,  but  the  voice 


The  Glass  Coffin. 


273 


warned  him  to  desist,  and  to  look  instead  at  what  was  con- 
tained in  the  other  glass  chest.  To  what  a pitch  was  his 
wonder  raised  when  he  perceived  in  it  a beautiful  Maiden 
lying  fast  asleep,  and  enveloped  from  head  to  foot  with  her 
own  yellow  hair.  Her  eyes  were  fast  closed,  but  the  fresh 
colour  of  her  cheeks,  and  the  motion  of  a riband  to  and 
fro,  which  swayed  with  her  breath,  left  no  doubts  as  to  her 
being  alive.  The  Tailor  looked  at  her  with  a beating  heart, 
and  all  at  once  she  opened  her  eyes  and  closed  them  again 
with  a joyful  cry.  When  she  saw  him,  “Just  heaven!”  she 
exclaimed,  “ my  liberty  approaches ! Quick,  quick,  help 
me  out  of  my  prison  ; push  back  the  bolt  of  my  glass  cage, 
and  I am  free !” 

The  Tailor  obeyed  without  trembling,  and  as  soon  as  he 
raised  the  glass  lid,  the  Maiden  stepped  out  and  hastened 
to  one  corner  of  the.  hall,  where  she  wrapped  herself  in  a 
large  cloak.  Then  she  sat  down  upon  a stone,  and,  calling 
the  young  Tailor  to  her,  gave  him  a friendly  kiss,  and  then 
said,  “ My  long-desired  deliverer!  a gracious  heaven  has 
led  you  hither  to  put  an  end  to  my  sorrows.  On  the  same 
day  that  they  end,  your  good  fortune  shall  begin.  You  are 
my  husband,  chosen  by  heaven,  and  you  shall  spend  your 
life  in  undisturbed  peace,  beloved  by  me,  and  endowed  with 
all  my  earthly  riches.  Sit  down,  now,  and  hear  the  history 
of  my  misfortunes. 

“ I am  the  daughter  of  a rich  Count.  My  parents  died 
when  I was  yet  in  tender  childhood,  and  delivered  me  as 
their  last  request  to  the  care  of  my  elder  Brother,  by  whom 
I was  to  be  educated.  We  loved  each  other  dearly,  and 
we  were  so  of  one  mind  in  our  ways  of  thinking  and  acting, 
that  we  both  resolved  to  remain  single,  and  live  together  to- 
the  end  of  our  lives.  In  our  house  there  was  never  any 
lack  of  company ; neighbours  and  friends  visited  us  con- 
stantly, and  we  exercised  towards  all  the  greatest  possible 
hospitality.  Thus  it  happened  that  one  evening  a Stranger 

VOL.  II. — 1'2* 


274 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


rode  into  our  castle  yard  under  the  pretext  of  not  being 
able  to  reach  the  next  town,  and  requested  shelter.  Me 
treated  his  request  with  our  usual  courtesy,  and  he  enter- 
tained us  for  the  rest  of  that  evening  with  his  conversations 
and  relations  of  his  various  adventures.  My  Brother  even 
took  such  a fancy  to  him  that  he  pressed  him  to  stay  for  a 
couple  of  days,  to  which  he  consented  after  some  hesitation. 
Late  at  night  we  arose  from  table,  and  after  the  Stranger 
had  been  shown  to  his  apartment,  I hastened,  weary  as  I 
was,  to  lay  myself  down  on  the  soft  feathers  of  my  bed.  I 
had  scarcely  dropped  asleep  when  I heard  the  tones  of  a 
delicious  strain  of  music.  I could  not  conceive  from 
whence  it  proceeded,  and  I resolved  to  summon  my  cham- 
bermaid, who  slept  in  the  adjoining  room.  To  my  astonish- 
ment it  seemed  as  if  a mountain  were  laid  upon  my  breast, 
and  all  power  of  speech  was  so  taken  away  from  me  by 
some  invisible  means,  that  I was  unable  to  utter  a single 
word.  Meanwhile,  I saw,  by  the  shining  of  the  lamp,  the 
Stranger  step  into  my  room  through  two  doors  which  I 
supposed  were  fast  closed.  He  approached  me,  and  said 
that  by  the  aid  of  enchantments  which  were  at  his  service 
he  had  caused  the  notes  of  the  music  which  had  awakened 
me,  and  that  now  he  was  come  at  all  risks  to  offer  me  his 
heart  and  hand.  My  indignation,  however,  at  his  enchant- 
ments was  so  great  that  I deigned  no  answer  to  him ; and 
for  a long  time  he  remained  immovable  before  me,  ap- 
parently waiting  my  favourable  decision.  As  I continued 
silent,  however,  he  declared  passionately  that  he  would 
revenge  himself,  and  find  some  means  to  punish  my 
haughtiness ; aud  so  saying  he  quitted  my  room.  I passed 
the  rest  of  the  night  in  the  greatest  anxiety  and  did  not 
sleep  till  morning,  and  then  as  soon  as  I awoke  I hastened  to 
my  Brother  to  tell  him  of  what  had  happened  to  me,  but 
I found  him  not  in  his  room,  and  the  servants  told  me  that 
he  had  ridden  out  to  hunt  with  the  Stranger  at  daybreak. 


The  Glass  Coffix. 


275 


“ This  foreboded  no  good  to  me.  I dressed  myself 
quickly,  caused  my  palfrey  to  be  saddled,  and  rode,  at- 
tended only  by  one  servant,  at  full  gallop  into  the  forest. 
On  our  way  the  servant  let  his  horse  fall  and  broke  his 
knees,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  follow  me  ; but  I continued 
without  a stoppage  to  hurry  on,  and  in  a few  minutes  I 
saw  the  Stranger  leading  a Goat  by  a string  coming 
towards  me.  I asked  him  where  he  had  left  my  Brother, 
and  how  he  had  come  by  the  Goat,  from  whose  large  eyes 
tears  were  streaming.  Instead  of  answering  me  he  began 
to  laugh  loudly ; and  thereupon  I became  very  angry,  and, 
drawing  a pistol,  fired  it  at  the  monster ; but  the  ball  re- 
bounded from  his  breast  and  pierced  the  head  of  my  horse. 
I was  thrown  to  the  ground,  and  the  stranger  murmured 
some  words  which  deprived  me  of  sensibility. 

“ When  I recovered  again  the  use  of  my  faculties,  I 
found  myself  enclosed  in  a glass  coffin,  in  this  subterranean 
chamber.  The  black  Magician  appeared  once  more,  and 
told  me  he  had  changed  my  Brother  into  a Goat,  enclosed 
my  castle  with  all  its  surrounding  buildings  in  another 
glass  case,  and  shut  up  my  people  in  the  form  of  smoke  in 
glass  bottles.  If  I were  willing,  he  said,  to  fulfil  his  wishes 
now,  nothing  was  easier  for  him  than  to  put  things  in 
their  previous  position ; he  need  only  to  open  the  cases  and 
everything  would  return  to  its  natural  shape.  I answered 
him,  however,  as  little  as  before,  and  he  disappeared,  leav- 
ing me  lying  in  my  glass  prison-house,  where  I presently 
fell  into  a deep  sleep.  Among  the  visions  which  then 
came  across  my  dreams  was  the  consoling  one  that  a youth 
came  and  delivered  me ; and  when  I opened  my  eyes  to- 
day, I saw  you,  and  knew  my  dream  was  fulfilled.  Help' 
me  now  to  complete  what  I then  dreamed.  The  first 
thing  is  to  raise  this  glass  chest  which  contains  my  castle, 
and  place  it  on  that  wide  stone.” 

As  soon  as  the  stone  was  thus  laden  it  began  to  rise, 


276 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


carrying  with,  it  the  Maiden  and  the  Tailor ; and  at  length 
it  passed  through  the  floor  of  the  upper  room,  and  from 
thence  they  quickly  came  into  the  open  air.  Here  the 
Maiden  raised  the  lid  of  the  case,  and  it  was  wonderful  to 
see  how,  immediately,  castle,  farm,  buildings,  stables,  &c., 
unfolded  themselves,  and  grew  with  marvellous  rapidity  to 
their  natural  size.  Thereupon  the  Maiden  and  the  Tailor 
turned  back  into  the  subterraneous  cave,  and  caused  the 
stone  to  raise  with  them  the  bottles  filled  with  smoke. 
Scarcely  were  they  opened,  when  the  blue  smoke  pressed 
out  and  assumed  the  form  of  men,  whom  the  Maiden  rec- 
ognised as  her  servants  and  attendants.  Their  joy  at  this 
recognition  was  still  further  increased  when  the  Brother, 
whom  the  Enchanter  had  changed  into  a Goat,  appeared, 
coming  out  of  the  wood,  in  his  natural  form ; and  the 
Maiden,  in  the  excess  of  her  joy,  gave  her  hand  to  the 
lucky  Tailor  on  the  very  same  day. 


CLIX. 


Lazy  Harry. 


HARRY  was  a lazy  fellow,  and,  although  he  had 
nothing  further  to  do  than  to  drive  his  goat  daily  to 
the  meadow,  he  sighed  continually  when  he  reached  home, 
after  his  day’s  work,  and  would  say  : “ In  truth  it  is  a 
weary  life  this,  and  a troublesome  job,  year  after  year,  to 
drive  a goat  into  the  field  every  day  till  the  autumn  comes. 
It  were  better  if  one  could  lie  down  and  sleep  ; but  no  ! 
one  must  always  be  watching  lest  the  goat  should  injure 
the  young  trees,  or  creep  through  the  hedge  into  some 
garden,  and  so  get  away.  Now  how  can  I obtain  quiet 
and  enjoy  life  ?”  Once  he  sat  down  to  collect  his  thoughts 
and  consider  how  he  should  free  his  shoulders  from  their 
burden.  For  a long  time  nothing  came  of  his  reflections, 
till  all  at  once  it  flashed  upon  him  as  if  a scale  had  fallen 
from  his  eyes.  “ I know  what  I will  do,”  he  cried  ; “ I 
will  marry  fat  Kate ; she  also  has  a goat,  and  she  can  drive 
out  mine  with  hers,  and  so  save  me  the  trouble.” 

So  thinking,  Harry  got  up  and  sat  his  weary  legs  in 
motion  to  cross  over  the  road  (for  the  distance  was  no  fur- 
ther to  the  parents  of  fat  Kate)  to  offer  himself  as  a hus- 
band for  their  industrious  and  virtuous  daughter.  The 
parents  did  not  consider  long;  “Like  and  like  agree  to- 
gether,” thought  they,  and  so  consented.  Thereupon  fat 
Kate  became  Harry’s  wife,  and  drove  out  the  two  goats, 
while  her  husband  passed  his  time  easily,  troubling  him- 
self about  no  other  labour  than  his  own  laziness ! Only 
now  and  then  he  went  out,  because,  as  he  said,  he  relished 
the  quiet  the  better  afterwards ; and  if  he  did  not  go  out 
he  lost  all  feeling  for  the  rest. 


A A 


278 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Soon,  however,  fat  Kate  became  no  less  lazy.  “ Dear 
Harry,”  said  she  one  day,  “why  should  we  sour  our  lives 
without  necessity,  and  harass  the  best  part  of  our  young 
days?  Would  it  not  be  better  if  we  gave  our  two  goats, 
which  now  disturb  us  every  morning  in  our  best  sleep,  to 
our  neighbour,  and  let  him  give  us  in  return  a bee-hive 
which  we  can  place  behind  the  house  in  a sunny  place,  and 
afterwards  need  trouble  no  more  about  it  ? The  bees  need 
no  looking  after,  and  have  not  to  be  driven  every  day  into 
the  meadow,  for  they  will  fly  out  and  return  home  of  them- 
selves and  collect  their  honey  without  any  interference  on 
our  part.” 

“You  have  spoken  like  a wise  woman,”  replied  lazy 
Harry ; “ let  us  pursue  your  plan  without  delay  : besides, 
honey  both  tastes  and  nourishes  better  than  goat’s  milk, 
and  can  be  kept  much  longer  !” 

The  neighbour  willingly  gave  a bee-hive  in  exchange 
for  the  two  goats,  and  certainly  the  bees  did  fly  unceasing- 
ly from  early  morning  till  late  in  the  evening  in  and  out 
of  their  hive,  and  filled  it  too  with  a store  of  the  choicest 
honey,  so  that  Harry  was  able  to  take  out  a large  jar-full 
in  the  autumn. 

This  jar  they  placed  on  a board  which  was  nailed  to  the 
wall  in  their  sleeping-room  ; and  as  they  feared  it  might  be 
stolen  from  them,  or  that  the  mice  might  manage  to  get  at 
it,  fat  Kate  fetched  a stout  - hazel-stick  and  laid  it  by  her 
bed,  so  that  she  could  reach  it  without  troubling  herself  to 
get  up,  and  drive  away  by  these  means  the  uninvited  guests. 

Lazy  Harry,  however,  would  not  leave  his  bed  till 
noonday  ; “ He  who  rises  early  wastes  his  possessions,”  he 
said.  One  morning  when  the  bright  daylight  found  him 
still  in  his  bed,  and  he  had  just  awakened  from  a long 
sleep,  he  said  to  his  wife,  “ You  women  like  sweets,  and 
you  have  been  stealing  some  of  the  honey  ; it  were  better, 
before  you  eat  it  all  out,  that  we  barter  it  away  with  some 


Lazy  Harry. 


279 


one  for  a goose.”  “ But  not  before  we  have  a boy  to  take 
care  of  it,”  replied  the  fat  Kate.  “ Shall  I distress  myself 
J about  the  young  geese  and  waste  my  strength  unnecessarily 
on  their  account?” 

“ Do  you  think,”  said  Harry,  “ that  a boy  will  take 
care  of  them?  Now-a-days  the  children  don’t  mind  any- 
body, but  act  just  as  they  think  proper,  because  they  fancy 
themselves  wiser  than  their  elders;  just  like  that  boy  who 
instead  of  looking  after  the  cow  hunted  three  blackbirds.” 
‘Oh,”  replied  Kate,  “he  shall  catch  it  if  he  does  not 
do  what  I tell  him.  I will  take  a stick  and  give  him  no 
end  of  blows  across  the  shoulders.  See  here,  Harry,”  she 
cried,  and  caught  up  the  stick  which  was  laid  to  keep  away 
the  mice.  “ See  here,  I will  lay  on  him  like  this.”  But 
unluckily,  in  raising  the  stick  she  hit  the  honey  jar,  and 
threw  it  down  on  the  bed.  The  jar  was  shivered  to  atoms, 
and  the  beautiful  honey  flowed  all  over  the  ground. 
“ There  lies  our  goose  and  goose  boy,”  exclaimed  Harry ; 
“ they  will  not  want  to  be  tended  now.  But  still  it  is  a lucky 
thing  that  the  jar  did  not  fall  upon  my  head,  so  we  have 
good  reason  to  be  contented  with  our  fate.”  So  saying,  he 
looked  among  the  broken  fragments  and  discovered  one  in 
which  some  honey  was  still  left.  “This  we  will  eat,”  said 
he  to  his  wife,  “ and  then  rest  awhile  longer  after  our  fright, 
for  what  does  it  signify  if  we  do  lie  a little  later  than  usual 
in  bed?  the  day  is  long  enough!” 

“ Yes,  yes,”  replied  fat  Kate,  “ the  affair  has  happened 
at  a very  good  time.  Do  you  know,  the  snail  was  once 
invited  to  a wedding,  but  he  tarried  so  long  on  the  road, 
that  he  arrived  at  the  christening  instead.  In  front  of  the 
house  he  fell  over  the  step,  but  all  he  said  was,  Hurrying 
is  no  good.” 


CL5. 


Strong  Hans 


HERB  was  once  upon  a time  a man  and  his  wife,  who 


had  but  one  child,  and  they  lived  in  a solitary  valley 
all  alone.  Once  it  happened  that  the  woman  went  into  the 
forest  to  collect  firewood,  and  took  with  her  the  little  Hans, 
who  was  just  turned  two  years  of  age.  It  was  the  begin- 
ning of  spring,  and  the  child  took  great  delight  in  the 
various  flowers  which  were  then  blooming;  and  running 
from  one  to  another,  they  strayed  far  into  the  forest.  Sud- 
denly two  robbers  jumped  up  out  of  a thicket,  and  seizing 
the  mother  and  child,  carried  them  deep  into  the  black 
wood,  where  from  year  to  year  nobody  ever  penetrated. 
The  poor  woman  begged  the  robbers  earnestly  to  let  her 
and  her  child  go  home,  but  their  hearts  were  of  stone,  and 
they  paid  no  attention  to  her  weeping  and  prayers,  but 
only  used  force  to  drive  her  on  further.  After  they  had 
thus  travelled  over  two  miles,  through  thorns  and  bushes, 
they  came  to  a rock  in  which  was  a door,  whereat  the  rob- 
bers knocked  and  immediately  it  opened  of  itself.  Then 
they  had  to  pass  through  a long  gloomy  passage,  and  came 
at  length  to  a great  cave  lighted  by  a fire  which,  was  burn- 
ing on  the  hearth.  On  the  wall  were  hanging  swords, 
sabres,  and  other  weapons,  which  shone  in  the  light ; and 
in  the  middle  of  the  cave  was  a black  table,  at  which  the 
four  robbers  sat  down  to  play,  and  at  the  head  sat  the 
Captain.  The  latter,  as  soon  as  he  saw  the  woman  enter, 
came  up  to  her  and  said  that,  if  she  were  quigt  and  not 
passionate,  they  would  do  her  no  harm,  but  she  would 
have  to  take  care  of  their  household ; and  if  she  kept 
everything  in  good  order,  she  would  be  well  treated.  So 


Strong  Hans. 


281 


saying  lie  gave  her  something  to  eat,  and  showed  her  the 
bed  where  she  was  to  sleep  with  her  child. 

The  woman  remained  many  years  with  these  robbers, 
and  Hans  grew  big  and  strong.  His  mother  told  him  tales 
and  taught  him  to  read  from  an  old  book  of  chivalry, 
which  she  found  in  the  cave.  When  Hans  was  nine  years 
old,  he  made  himself  a staff  out  of  the  branch  of  a fir-tree, 
and  hiding  it  behind  the  bed,  he  went  and  said  to  his 
mother,  “ Dear  mother,  do  tell  me  who  my  father  is ; I 
must  and  will  know.”  But-his  mother  was  silent,  and 
would  not  tell  him  lest  he  should  become  home-sick ; 
besides  she  knew  the  wicked  robbers  would  not  have 
allowed  Hans  to  escape ; nevertheless,  it  would  have 
broken  her  heart  had  she  thought  Hans  would  never  see 
his  father  again.  That  night,  when  the  robbers  returned 
from  their  day’s  plundering,  Hans  fetched  out  his  cudgel, 
and  placing  himself  before  the  Captain  said  to  him,  “ I 
must  know  who  is  my  father,  and  if  you  will  not  tell  me 
I will  knock  you  down !”  But  the  Captain  only  laughed 
at  him,  and  gave  him  a box  on  the  ears,  so  that  he  rolled 
under  the  table.  Hans  soon  got  up,  but  held  his  tongue, 
thinking,  “ I will  wait  a year  longer,  and  then  try ; perhaps 
I shall  manage  better.” 

So  when  the  year  was  up,  he  fetched  his  cudgel  again, 
sharpened  its  point  and  congratulated  himself,  that  it  was  a 
trusty  and  strong  weapon.  At  night  the  robbers  returned, 
and  began  to  drink  wine,  one  bottle  after  another,  till  their 
heads  dropped  on  the  table.  Then  Hans  took  his  cudgel, 
and  stationing  himself  before  the  Captain,  asked  him  again, 
“Who  is  my  father?”  The  Captain  dealt  him  a box  on 
the  ear  by  way  of  answer,  which  knocked  him  under  the 
table ; but  Hans  was  soon  up  again,  and  beat  the  Captain 
and  his  comrades  so  forcibly  about  the  legs  and  arms,  that 
they  could  not  stir.  The  mother  meanwhile  remained  in  a 
corner,  astonished  at  her  son’s  bravery  and  strength ; but 


282  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

as  soon  as  lie  had  finished  his  work,  he  came  to  her  and 
said,  “You  see  now  that  I am  in  earnest,  so  tell  me  who  is 
my  father.”  “ Dear  Hans,”  she  replied,  “ let  us  go  and 
seek  till  we  find  him.” 

So  saying  she  robbed  the  Captain  of  the  key  of  the 
outer  door,  and  Hans,  fetching  a large  meal-sack,  crammed 
it  full  of  gold,  silver,  and  all  the  valuables  he  could  find, 
and  then  threw  it  over  his  back.  They  left  the  cave,  but 
imagine  what  was  the  astonishment  of  Hans,  when  he 
emerged  from  darkness  into  the  light  of  dav,  and  saw  the 
green  trees,  the  flowers,  the  birds,  and  the  morning  sun 
shining  over  all  in  the  clear  sky ! He  stood  still  and  gazed 
all  around  him  quite  bewildered,  till  his  mother  began  to 
look  for  the  road  to  her  home,  where  they  happily  arrived, 
after  two  hours  walking,  and  found  it  still  in  the  solitary 
valley. 

At  the  door  sat  the  father,  who  wept  for  joy  when  he 
recognised  his  wife,  and  heard  that  Hans  was  his  son,  whom 
he  had  long  ago  believed  to  be  dead.  But  Hans,  although 
only  twelve  years  of  age,  was  already  a head  taller  than 
his  father;  and  they  all  went  together  into  the  house, 
where  Hans  put  down  his  sack  upon  the  chimney-corner. 
As  soon  as  he  did  so,  the  house  began  to  crack;  and 
presently  the  chimney-seat  gave  way,  and  then  the  floor, 
so  that  the  heavy  sack  fell  quite  down  .into  the  cellar. 
“ Heaven  protect  us  !”  exclaimed  the  father.  “ What  is 
that?  Why,  you  have  broken  our  house  down!” 

“Pray  don’t  let  your  grey  hairs  grow  on  that  account, 
my  dear  father,”  replied  Hans ; “ there  is  in  that  sack  much 
more  than  will  build  a house  !” 

So,  soon  after,  the  father  and  son  began  to  erect  a new 
cottage,  and  to  buy  cattle  and  land,  and  go  to  market. 
Hans  ploughed  their  fields  ; and  when  he  went  behind  the 
plough  and  pushed  it  through  the  soil,  the  oxen  had  no 
need  to  draw  at  all.  The  following  spring,  Hans  said, 


Strong  Hans. 


288 


“Father,  bestow  some  money  on  me,  and  let  me  make 
an  exceedingly  heavy  walking-stick,  that  I may  go  into 
strange  lands.”  When  this  staff  was  ready,  Hans  left  his 
father’s  house,  and  walked  off,  till  he  came  to  a large  dense 
forest.  There  he  heard  something  crackling  and  crashing, 
and,  looking  around,  saw  a fir-tree,  which  was  coiled  round 
from  top  to  bottom  like  a rope.  And,  as  he  lifted  his  eyes, 
he  perceived  a great  fellow  who  had  caught  hold  of  the 
tree,  and  was  twisting  it  round  like  a reed.  “Hilloa!”  cried 
Hans,  “ what  are  you  doing  there?”  “I  have  plucked  up 
two  fir-stems,”  replied  the  fellow,  “and  am  about  to  make 
a rope  of  them  for  my  own  use.”  “ He  has  got  some 
strength,”  thought  Hans  to  himself;  “ I might  find  him 
useful.”  And  then  he  called  out,  “ Let  them  be  and  come 
with  me.”  Thereupon  the  fellow  descended  the  tree,  and 
walked  with  Hans,  than  whom  he  was  a head  taller,  though 
Hans  was  by  no  means  little.  “ You  shall  be  called  ‘ Fir- 
Twister,’  ” said  Hans  to  him.  As  they  walked  on  they 
heard  somebody  knocking  and  hammering  so  hard,  that  at 
every  blow  the  ground  shook ; and  presently  they  came  to 
a great  rock,  before  which  a giant  was  standing,  knocking 
off  great  pieces  with  his  fist.  When  Hans  asked  him  what 
he  was  about,  he  replied,  “ When  I want  to  go  to  sleep  at 
night,  there  come  bears,  and  wolves,  and  all  creatures  of 
that  kind,  who  snuff  and  prowl  around  me  and  prevent 
me  from  sleeping,  so  now  I want  to  build  myself  a house 
to  rest  in.” 

“ Ah,  very  well,  I can  use  you  too,”  thought  Hans  ; 
and  said  to  the  giant,  “ Come  with  me,  leave  your  house- 
building, and  you  shall  be  called  ‘ Rock-Splitter.’  ” 

The  man  consented,  and  the  three  strode  along  through 
the  forest,  and  wherever  they  came  the  wild  beasts  fled 
away  from  them,  terrified.  At  evening  time  they  came  to  an 
old  deserted  castle,  into  which  they  stept,  and  laid  down  to 
sleep  in  the  hall.  The  following  morning  Hans  went  into 


284 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  garden,  and  found  it  quite  a wilderness  and  full  of 
thorns  and  weeds.  As  he  walked  about,  a wild  boar  sud- 
denly sprung  out  at  him,  but  he  gave  it  such  a blow  with 
his  staff,  that  it  fell  down  at  his  feet  dead.  So  he  threw  it 
over  his  shoulder,  and,  taking  it  home,  put  it  on  a spit  to 
roast,  and  chuckled  over  the  treat  it  would  be.  Affterwards, 
the  three  agreed  that  every  day  they  should  take  it  by 
turns — two  to  go  out  and  hunt,  and  the  third  to  remain  at 
home  and  cook  for  each  nine  pounds  of  meat.  The  first 
day  the  Fir-Twister  remained  at  home  ; and  Hans  and  the 
Eock-Splitter  went  out  hunting.  While  the  former  was 
busy  at  home  with  his  cooking,  there  came  to  the  castle 
gate  a shrivelled-up  little  old  man,  who  asked  for  meat. 

“ Take  yourself  off,  you  sneak !”  replied  the  cook ; “ you 
want  no  meat!”  But  scarcely  had  he  said  these  words 
than,  to  his  great  surprise,  the  little  insignificant  old  man 
sprang  upon  him  and  thrashed  him  so  with  his  fists,  that 
he  could  not  protect  himself  from  the  blows,  but  was  at 
last  forced  to  drop  down,  gasping  for  breath.  The  little 
man  did  not  leave  till  he  had  fully  wreaked  his  vengeance ; 
but  when  the  other  two  returned  from  hunting,  the  Fir- 
Twister  said  nothing  to  them  of  the  old  man  or  his  blows, 
for  he  thought,  when  they  remained  at  home,  they  might  as 
well  have  a trial  with  the  fellow ; and  the  bare  thought  of 
it  pleased  him  very  much. 

The  following  day,  accordingly,  the  Eock-Splitter 
stopped  at  home,  and  it  happened  to  him  just  as  it  had 
done  to  the  Fir-Twister ; the  old  man  beat  him  unmer- 
cifully because  he  would  give  him  mo  meat.  When  the 
others  came  home  at  evening,  the  Fir-Twister  perceived  at 
once  what  had  happened ; but  both  held  their  tongues, 
thinking  that  Hans  should  also  taste  of  the  supper. 

Hans,  whose  turn  it  now  was  to  stay  at  home,  did  his 
work  in  the  kitchen  as  he  thought  fit,  and  just  as^he  was 
about  to  polish  the  kettle,  the  little  man  came  and  de- 


Strong  Hans. 


285 


manded  without  ceremony  a piece  of  meat.  “ This  is  a 
poor  fellow,”  thought  Hans;  “ I will  give  him  some  of  my 
share,  that  the  others  may  not  come  short and  he  handed 
him  a piece  of  meat.  The  Dwarf  soon  devoured  it,  and 
demanded  another  piece,  which  the  good-natured  Hans 
gave  him,  and  said  it  was  such  a fine  piece  he  ought  to  be 
contented  with  it.  But  the  Dwarf  asked  a third  time  for 
more  meat.  “ You  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  yourself,”  said 
Hans,  and  gave  him  nothing.  Thereupon  the  ill-tempered 
Dwarf  tried  to  spring  on  him,  and  serve  him  as  he  had 
done  the  Fir-Twister  and  the  Rock-Splitter;  but  he  had 
come  at  an  unlucky  moment,  and  Hans  gave  him  a couple 
of  blows  which  made  the  Dwarf  jump  down  the  castle  steps. 
Hans  would  then  have  pursued  him,  but  he  was  so  tall 
that  he  actually  fell  over  him,  and  when  he  got  up  again 
the  Dwarf  was  off.  Hans  hurried  after  him  into  the  forest, 
and  saw  him  slip  into  a rocky  hole ; after  which  he  re- 
turned home,  first  marking  the  place.  But  the  two  others, 
when  they  came  back,  wondered  to  see  Hans  so  merry,  and 
when  he  told  them  all  that  had  passed  in  their  absence, 
they  also  concealed  no  longer  the  tale  of  their  adventures. 
Hans  laughed  at  them,  and  said,  “ You  were  served  quite 
right,  you  should  not  have  been  so  grudging  with  your 
meat;  but  it  is  a shame  that  two  such  big  fellows  as  you 
should  have  allowed  yourselves  to  be  beaten  by  a Dwarf.” 
After  their  dinner  they  took  a basket  and  some  cord, 
and  all  three  went  to  the  rocky  hole,  into  which  the  Dwarf 
had  crept,  and  let  Hans  down  in  the  basket,  staff  in  hand. 
As  soon  as  he  came  to  the  bottom  he  found  a door,  on 
opening  which  he  saw  a Maiden  more  beautiful  than  I 
can  describe,  and  near  her  sat  the  Dwarf,  who  grinned  at 
Hans  like  a sea-cat.  But  the  Maiden  was  bound  by  chains, 
and  looked  so  sadly  at  Hans  that  he  felt  a great  compassion 
for  her,  and  thought  to  himself,  “You  must  be  delivered 
from  the  power  of  this  wicked  Dwarf;”  and  he  gave  the 


286 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


fellow  a blow  with  his  staff,  which  killed  him  outright. 
Immediately  the  chains  fell  off  the  Maiden,  and  Hans  was 
enchanted  with  her  beauty.  She  told  him  she  was  a Prin- 
cess, whom  a rebellious  Count  had  stolen  away  from  her 
home,  and  concealed  in  a cave,  because  she  would  not 
listen  to  his  offers  of  marriage.  The  Dwarf  had  been  placed 
there  by  the  Count  as  watchman,  and  he  had  caused  her 
daily  vexation  and  trouble.  Thereupon  Hans  placed  the 
Maiden  in  the  basket,  and  caused  her  to  be  drawn  up ; but 
when  the  basket  came  down  again  Hans  would  not  trust 
his  two  companions,  for  he  thought  they  had  already  shown 
themselves  false  in  not  telling  about  the  Dwarf  before,  and 
nobody  could  tell  what  design  they  might  have  now.  So 
he  laid  his  staff  in  the  basket,  and  it  was  very  lucky  he 
did  so,  for  as  soon  as  the  basket  was  half  way  up,  the  two 
men  let  it  fall  again,  and  Hans,  had  he  been  really  in  it, 
would  have  met  with  his  death.  But  Hans  now  did  not 
know  how  he  should  make  his  way  out  of  the  cave,  and 
although  he  considered  for  a long  while  he  could  come  to 
no  decision.  While  he  walked  up  and  down  he  came 
again  to  the  chamber  where  the  Maiden  had  been  sitting, 
and  saw  that  the  Dwarf  had  a ring  on  his  finger  which 
shone  and  glittered.  This  he  pulled  off  and  put  on,  and 
as  soon  as  it  pressed  his  finger,  he  heard  suddenly  some 
rustling  over  his  head.  He  looked  up,  and  saw  two  Spirits 
fluttering  about  in  the  air,  who  said  he  was  their  master, 
and  they  asked  his  wishes.  Hans  at  first  was  quite  aston- 
ished, but  at  last  he  said  he  wished  to  be  borne  up  on  the 
earth.  In  a moment  they  obeyed,  and  he  seemed  as  if  he 
was  flying  up ; but  when  they  set  him  down  on  the  ground, 
he  saw  nobody  standing  about,  and  when  he  went  into  the 
castle  he  could  find  nobody  there  either.  The  Fir-Twister 
and  the  Rock-Splitter  had  made  their  escape,  and  carried 
away  with  them  the  beautiful  Maiden.  Hans,  however, 
pressed  the  ring  and  the  Spirits  came  at  once,  and  said  the 


Strong  Hans. 


287 


two  false  comrades  were  gone  off  to  sea.  Hans  thereupon 
hastened  as  fast  as  he  could  to  the  sea-shore,  and  there  he 
perceived  far  out  at  sea  the  ship  in  which  his  perfidious 
friends  had  embarked.  In  his  passionate  haste  he  actually 
jumped  into  the  sea,  staff  in  hand,  and  began  to  swum; 
but  the  tremendous  weight  of  his  staff  prevented  him  from 
keeping  his  head  up.  He  was  just  beginning  to  sink  when 
he  bethought  himself  of  his  ring,  and  immediately  the 
Spirits  appeared,  and  carried  him  on  board  the  ship  with 
the  speed  of  lightning.  As  soon  as  he  was  safely  set  down, 
Hans  swung  his  staff  round,  and  gave  the  wicked  traitors 
their  well-merited  reward ; after  which  he  threw  them  into 
the  sea ! Then  he  steered  the  vessel  home  to  the  father 
and  mother  of  the  Princess,  who  had  been  in  the  greatest 
terror  while  in  the  hands  of  the  two  giants,  and  from  whom  , 
he  had  happily  saved  her  for  the  second  time. 

Soon  afterwards  Hans  married  the  Princess,  and  their 
wedding  was  the  occasion  of  the  most  splendid  rejoicings. 


CLXI. 


Lean  Betty. 


EEY  different  from  lazy  Harry  and  fat  Kate, — who 


never  troubled  themselves  to  disturb  their  ease, — was 
lean  Betty.  She  busied  herself  from  morning  till  night, 
and  gave  her  husband,  tall  John,  so  much  to  do  that  he 
was  as  heavily  burdened  as  an  ass  which  carries  three  sacks. 
But  all  was  in  vain,  they  had  nothing,  and  they  gained 
nothing,  and  one  night  when  they  went  to  bed  and  could 
not  move  their  limbs  from  weariness,  they  could  not  sleep 
for  the  thoughts  that  oppressed  them.  Lean  Betty  poked 
her  husband  in  his  side,  and  said  to  him,  “ Listen  to  me,  long 
John  ! hear  what  I have  thought.  Suppose  I should  find 
a florin  and  some  one  should  give  me  a second,  and  then  if 
I borrowed  a third,  and  you  gave  me  a fourth,  with  these 
four  florins  I would  buy  a young  cow.” 

The  husband  was  pleased  with  this  plan  ; but  he  said, 
“ I certainly  do  not  know  where  I shall  get  the  florin  which 
I am  to  give  you;  but,  however,  supposing  you  get  the 
money,  and  can  buy  a cow  with  it,  you  will  do  well  if  you 
follow  out  your  plan.  It  pleases  me  to  think,”  he  con- 
tinued, “ that  if  the  cow  should  produce  a calf,  I could 
then  refresh  myself  often  with  a draught  of  milk !” 

“ The  milk  is  not  for  you,”  returned  the  wife,  “ we 
must  let  the  calf  suck,  that  it  may  grow  big  and  fat,  and 
then  we  can  sell  it  for  a good  price.” 

“ Oh,  certainly,”  replied  the  husband  ; “ but  still  we 
will  take  a little  milk,  for  that  can  make  no  difference.” 

“ Whoever  taught  you  anything  about  cows  ?”  said  the 
wife  angrily  ; “it  may  or  may  not  do  harm,  but  I will  not 
have  it  done : and  although  you  may  take  all  the  pains 


Lean  Betty. 


289 


you  like,  you  shall  not  have  a drop  of  milk.  Do  you  think, 
you  lanky  John,  that  because  you  cannot  satisfy  yourself 
you  are  going  to  make  away  with  what  it  has  cost  me  so 
much  trouble  to  earn?” 

“ Hold  your  tongue,  woman !”  exclaimed  the  husband, 
“ or  I will  give  you  a box  on  the  ear.” 

“ What !”  exclaimed  she  in  return  ; “ what,  you  will 
strike  me,  you  whipper-snapper ! you  sneak ! jrou  lazy 
fellow!”  And  so  saying,  she  tried  to  catch  hold  of  his 
hair ; but  long  John,  raising  himself  up,  pinioned  the  thin 
arms  of  Betty  to  her  side  with  one  hand,  and  with  the 
other  he  kept  her  head  on  the  pillow,  and  let  her  abuse 
him  as  she  liked,  till  she  fell  asleep  tired  out. 

But  whether  when  they  awoke  they  quarrelled  again, 
or  went  out  to  look  for  florins,  or  found  them,  I know  noth- 
ing about ! 


VOL.  II. — 13 


v-  r. 


CLXII. 


The  House  in  the  Wood. 


THESE  was  a poor  Wood-cutter  who  lived  with  his 
Wife  and  three  Daughters  in  a little  hut  on  the  edge 
of  a large  forest.  One  morning,  when  he  went  out  to  his 
usual  work,  he  said  to  his  wife,  “ Let  mj  dinner  be  brought 
by  our  eldest  Daughter,  I shall  not  be  ready  to  come  home  ; 
and  that  she  may  not  lose  her  way,  I will  take  with  me  a 
bag  of  seeds  and  strew  them  on  my  path.” 

So  when  the  sun  was  risen  to  the  centre  of  the  heavens, 
the  Maiden  set  out  on  her  way  carrying  a jug  of  soup. 
But  the  field  and  wood  sparrows,  the  larks,  blackbirds,  gold- 
finches, and  greenfinches,  had  many  hours  ago  picked  up 
the  seeds,  so  that  the  Maiden  could  find  no  trace  of  the  way. 
So  she  walked  on,  trusting  to  fortune,  till  the  sun  set  and 
night  came  on.  The  trees  soon  began  to  rustle  in  the  dark- 
ness,  the  owls  to  hoot,  and  the  girl  began  to  feel  frightened. 
All  at  once  she  perceived  a light  shining  at  a distance 
among  the  trees.  “ People  must  dwell  there,”  she  thought, 
“who  will  keep  me  during  the  night;”  and  she  walked 
towards  the  light.  In  a short  time  she  came  to  a cottage 
where  the  windows  were  all  lighted  up,  and  when  she 
knocked  at  the  door  a hoarse  voice  called  from  within, 
“ Come  in.”  The  girl  opened  the  door  and  perceived  a 
hoary  old  man  sitting  at  a table,  'with  his  face  buried  in  his 
hands,  and  his  white  beard  flowing  down  over  the  table  on 
to  the  ground.  On  the  hearth  lay  three  animals,  a Hen, 
a Cock,  and  a brindled  Cow.  The  girl  told  the  Old  Man 
her  adventures,  and  begged  for  a night’s  lodging.  The 
Man  said : — 


The  House  in  the  Wood. 


291 


“ Pretty  Hen,  pretty  Cock, 

And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 

What  have  you  to  say  to  that 

u Cluck!”  said  the  animals;  and  as  that  meant  they  were 
satisfied,  the  Old  Man  said  to  the  Maiden,  “ Here  is  abun- 
dance and  to  spare ; go  now  into  the  kitchen  and  cook  some 
supper  for  us.” 

The  girl  found  plenty  of  everything  in  the  kitchen,  and 
cooked  a good  meal ; hut  thought  nothing  about  the  ani- 
mals. When  she  had  finished,  she  carried  a full  dish  into 
the  room,  and  sitting  down  opposite  the  Old  Man  ate  till 
she  satisfied  her  hunger.  When  she  had  done,  she  said, 
“ I am  very  tired,  where  is  my  bed,  where  I shall  lie  down 
and  sleep  ?”  The  animals  replied 

“You  have  eaten  with  him, 

You  have  drank  too  with  him; 

And  yet  you  have  not  thought  of  us; 

Still  you  may  pass  the  night  here.” 

Thereupon  the  Old  Man  said,  “ Step  down  yon  stair,  and 
you  will  'come  to  a room  containing  two  beds,  shake  them 
up  and  cover  them  with  white  sheets,  and  then  I will  come 
and  lie  down  to  sleep  myself.  The  maiden  stepped  down 
the  stair,  and,  as  soon  as  she  had  shaken  the  beds  up  and 
covered  them  afresh,  she  laid  herself  down  in  one  bed  with- 
out waiting  for  the  Old  Man.  But  after  some  time  the  Old 
Man  came,  and  after  looking  at  the  girl  with  the  light, 
shook  his  head  when  he  saw  she  was  fast  asleep ; and  then, 
opening  a trap-door,  dropped  her  down  into  the  cellar 
below. 

Late  in  the  evening  the  Wood-cutter  arrived  at  home, 
and  scolded  his  Wife  because  she  had  let  him  hunger  all 
day  long.  “It  is  not  my  fault,”  she  replied;  “ the  girl  was 
sent  out  with  your  dinner;  she  must  have  lost  her  way; 
but  to-morrow  she  will  return,  no  doubt.”  At  daybreak 
the  Wood-cutter  got  up  to  go  into  the  forest,  and  desired 


292  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

that  the  second  Daughter  should  bring  him  his  meal  this 
time.  “ I will  take  a bag  of  peas,”  he  said ; “ they  are  larger 
than  corn-seed;  and  the  girl  will  therefore  see  them  better, 
and  not  lose  my  track.”  At  noon-day,  accordingly,  the  girl 
set  out  with  her  father’s  dinner ; but  the  peas  had  all  dis- 
appeared, for  the  wood-birds  had  picked  them  all  up  as 
they  had  on  the  day  before,  and  not  one  was  left.  So  the 
poor  girl  wandered  about  in  the  forest  till  it  was  quite 
dark,  and  then  she  also  arrived  at  the  Old  Man’s  hut,  was 
invited  in,  and  begged  food  and  a night’s  lodging.  The 
Man  of  the  white  beard  asked  his  animals  again : — 

“ Pretty  Hen,  and  pretty  Cock, 

And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 

What  have  you  to  say  to  that  ?” 

They  answered  again,  “ Cluck  !”  and  everything  thereupon 
occurred  the  same  as  on  the  previous  day.  The  girl 
cooked  a good  meal,  ate  and  drank  with  the  Old  Man, 
but  never  once  thought  of  the  animals;  and  when  she 
asked  for  her  bed,  they  made  answer : — 

“ You  have  eaten  with  him, 

You  have  drunk  too  with  him ; 

And  yet  you  have  not  thought  of  us ; 

Still  you  may  pass  here  the  night !” 

As  soon  as  she  was  gone  to  sleep  the  Old  Man  came, 
and  after  looking  at  her  and  shaking  his  head  as  before, 
dropped  her  into  the  cellar  below. 

Meanwhile  the  third  morning  arrived,  and  the  AVood- 
cutter  told  his  Wife  to  send  their  youngest  child  with  his 
dinner;  “For,”  said  he,  “she  is  always  obedient  and 
good ; she  will  keep  in  the  right  *path,  and  not  run  about 
like  those  idle  hussies  her  sisters!” 

But  the  Mother  refused,  and  said,  “Shall  I lose  my 
youngest  child  too  ?” 

“ Be  not  afraid  of  that,”  said  her  husband ; “ the  girl 
will  not  miss  her  way,  she  is  too  steady  and  prudent ; but 


■> 

■> 


THE  HOUSE  IN  THE  WOOD.  Yol.  II.  Paqb  298 


The  House  in  the  Wood. 


293 


for  more  precaution  I will  take  beans  to  strew,  they  are 
larger  still  than  peas,  and  will  show  her  the  way  better.” 
But,  by-and-by,  when  the  girl  went  out  with  her  bas- 
ket on  her  arm,  the  wood-pigeons  had  eaten  up  all  the 
beans  ; and  she  knew  not  which  way  to  turn.  She  was 
full  of  trouble,  and  thought  with  grief^  how  her  father 
would  want  his  dinner,  and  how  her  dear  Mother  would 
grieve  when  she  did  not  return.  At  length,  when  it  be- 
came quite  dark,  she  also  perceived  the  lighted  cottage, 
and,  entering  it,  begged  very  politely  to  be  allowed  to  pass 
the  night  there.  The  Old  Man  asked  the  animals  a third 
time  in  the  same  words: — 

“ Pretty  Hen,  pretty  Cock, 

And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 

What  have  you  to  say  to  that  2” 

“ Cluck,  cluck  I”  said  they.  Thereupon  the  Maiden  step- 
ped up  to  the  fire  near  which  they  lay,  and  fondled  the 
pretty  Hen  and  Cock,  smoothing  their  plumage  down  with 
her  hands,  while  she  stroked  the  Cow  between  her  horns. 
Afterwards,  when  she  had  got  ready  a good  supper  at  the 
Old  Man’s  request,  and  had  placed  the  dishes  on  the  table, 
she  thought  to  herself,  “ I must  not  appease  my  hunger  till 
I have  fed  these  good  creatures.  There  is  an  abundance 
in  the  kitchen,  I will  serve  them  first.”  Thus  thinking 
she  went  and  fetched  some  corn  and  strewed  it  before  the 
fowls,  and  then  she  brought  an  armful  of  hay  and  gave  it 
to  the  Cow.  “Now  eat  away,  you  good  creatures,”  said 
she  to  them,  “ and  when  you  are  thirsty  you  shall  have  a 
nice  fresh  draught.”  So  saying,  she  brought  in  a pail  full 
of  water ; and  the  Hen  and  Cock  perched  themselves  on 
its  edge,  put  their  beaks  in,  and  then  threw  their  heads  up 
as  birds  do  when  drinking ; the  Cow  also  took  a hearty 
draught.  When  the  animals  were  thus  fed,  the  Maiden 
sat  down  at  table  with  the  Old  Man  and  ate  what  was  left 
for  her.  In  a short  while  the  Hen  and  the  Cock  began  to 


294  Grimm's  Household  Stories. 

fold  their  wings  over  their  heads,  and  the  brindled  Cow 
blinked  with  both  eyes.  Then  the  Maiden  asked,  “ Shall 
we  not  also  take  our  rest?”  The  Old  Man  replied  as 
before. 

" Pretty  Hen,  pretty  Cock, 

And  pretty  brindled  Cow, 

What  have  you  to  say  to  that  ?” 

“ Cluck,  cluck !”  replied  the  animals,  meaning — 

“ You  have  eaten  with  us, 

You  have  drunk  too  with  us, 

You  have  thought  of  us  kindly  too, 

And  we  wish  you  a good  night’s  rest” 

So  the  Maiden  went  down  the  stairs,  and  shook  up  the 
feather-beds  and  laid  on  clean  sheets,  and  when  they  were 
ready,  the  Old  Man  came  and  laid  down  in  one,  with  his 
white  beard  stretching  down  to  his  feet.  The  girl  then 
laid  down  in  the  other  bed,  first  saying  her  prayers  before 
she  went  to  sleep. 

She  slept  quietly  till  midnight,  and  at  that  hour  there- 
began  such  a tumult  in  the  house  that  it  awakened  her. 
Presently  it  began  to  crack  and  rumble  in  every  corner  of 
the  room,  and  the  doors  were  slammed  back  against  the 
wall,  and  then  the  beams  groaned  as  if  they  were  being 
riven  away  from  their  fastenings,  and  the  stairs  fell  down, 
and  at  last  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  roof  fell  in.  Soon 
after  that  all  was  quiet,  but  the  Maiden  took  no  harm, 
and  went  quietly  off  again  to  sleep.  When,  however,  the 
bright  light  of  the  morning  sun  awoke  her,  what  a sight 
met  her  eyes ! She  found  herself  lying  in  a large  chamber, 
with  everything  around  belonging  to  regal  pomp.  On  the 
walls  were  represented  gold  flowers  growing  on  a green 
silk  ground : the  bed  was  of  ivory  and  the  curtains  of  red 
velvet,  and  on  a stool  close  by  was  placed  a pair  of  slippers 
ornamented  with  pearls.  The  Maiden  thought  it  was  all 
a dream ; but  presently  in  came  three  servants  dressed  in 


The  House  in  the  Wood. 


295 


rich  liveries,  who  asked  her  what  were  her  commands. 
“Leave  me,”  replied  the  Maiden;  “ I will  get  up  at  once, 
and  cook  some  breakfast  for  the  Old  Man,  and  also  feed 
the  pretty  Hen,  the  pretty  Cock,  and  the  brindled  Cow.” 
She  spoke  thus  because  she  thought  the  Old  Man  was 
already  up,  but  when  she  looked  round  at  his  bed,  she 
saw  a stranger  to  her  lying  asleep  in  it.  While  she  was 
looking  at  him,  and  saw  that  he  was  both  young  and 
handsome,  he  awoke,  and  starting  up,  said  to  the  Maiden ; 
“ I am  a King’s  son,  who  was  long  ago  changed  by  a 
wicked  old  witch  into  the  form  of  an  Old  Man,  and  con- 
demned-to  live  alone  in  the  wood,  with  nobody  to  bear  me 
company  but  my  three  servants  in  the  form  of  a Hen,  a 
Cock,  and  a brindled  Cow.  And  the  enchantment  was  not 
to  end  until  a Maiden  should  come  so  kind-hearted  that 
she  should  behave  as  well  to  my  animals  as  she  did  to  me ; 
and  such  a one  you  have  been ; and  therefore  this  last 
midnight  we  were  saved  through  you,  and  the  old  wooden 
hut  has  again  become  my  roj^al  palace.” 

When  he  had  thus  spoken,  the  girl  and  he  arose,  and 
the  Prince  told  his  three  servants  to  fetch  to  the  palace  the 
Father  and  Mother  of  the  Maiden,  that  they  might  witness 
her  marriage. 

“ But  where  are  my  two  Sisters  ?”  she  asked.  “ I 
have  put  them  in  the  cellar,”  replied  the  Prince,  “and 
there  they  must  remain  till  to-morrow  morning,  when  they 
shall  be  led  into  the  forest  and  bound  as  servants  to  a 
collier,  until  they  have  reformed  their  tempers,  and  learnt 
not  to  let  poor  animals  suffer  hunger.” 


CLXIII. 


Love  and  Sorrow  to  share. 


NCE  upon  a time  there  was  a Tailor  so  quarrelsome 


that  his  poor  Wife  could  never  get  on  with  him, 
although  she  was  both  affectionate,  pious,  and  industrious. 
He  was  discontented  with  whatever  she  did ; and  would 
not  only  mutter  and  scold,  but  even  knock  her  about,  and 
beat  her.  At  last  the  Magistrate  was  told  of  his  conduct, 
and  the  Tailor  was  summoned  and  put  into  prison  till  he 
should  behave  better.  For  a long  time  he  was  kept  on 
bread  and  water,  and  at  length  released,  after  being  ad- 
monished to  beat  his  Wife  no  more,  but  to  live  with  her  in 
concord,  and  to  share  affection  and  sorrow,  as  it  was  fit 
that  married  people  should  do. 

For  some  time  all  went  on  well ; but  soon  the  Tailor 
fell  into  his  old  habits,  and  grew  more  and  more  discon- 
tented and  quarrelsome.  However,  because  he  dared  not 
beat  his  Wife,  he  would  pull  her  hair  instead;  and  one 
day  she  escaped  from  him  and  rushed  out  of  doors.  The 
Tailor  pursued  her  with  his  yard  measure  and  shears  in 
his  hands,  and  as  he  did  not  gain  on  her  steps  he  threw  the 
measure  and  shears  at  her.  The  poor  woman  ran  round 
their  court,  while  her  husband  continued  to  throw  the 
shears  at  her ; and  if  he  missed  his  aim  he  abused  her,  and 
if  he  hit  her  he  laughed.  He  kept  up  this  sport  so  long 
that  the  neighbours  came  to  the  assistance  of  his  Wife,  and 
he  was  taken  again  before  the  Magistrate  and  reminded  of 
his  promise.  “ My  dear  lord,”  replied  the  Tailor,  “ 1 have 
kept  to  what  I promised ; I have  not  beaten  my  Wife,  but 
shared  with  her  affection  and  sorrow.” 

“How  can  that  be?”  asked  the  Judge;  “when  she 


Loye  and  Sorrow  to  share. 


297 


has  now  come  a second  time  with  these  loud  complaints  of 
your  conduct!” 

“I  have  not  beaten  my  wife,”  reiterated  the  Tailor; 
“but  all  I did  was  to  try  and  comb  out  her  hair,  because 
she  looked  so  wild.  But  she  ran  away  from  me,  and  would 
not  hear  what  I said ; so  then  I pursued  her,  and  in  order 
to  remind  her  of  her  duty,  I threw  at  her  what  I chanced 
to  have  in  my  hand ; I have  also  shared  with  her  my  love 
and  my  sorrow,  for  as  often  as  I hit  her  she  was  made  sorry 
and  I was  glad ; and  when  I missed  her  she  was  glad  and 
I was  sorry !” 

The  Judges,  however,  were  not  satisfied  with  this 
answer,  but  sentenced  him  to  a well-earned  punishment ! 


VOL.  II. — 13* 


CLXIV. 


King  Wren. 


TN  the  olden  times  the  birds  had  their  own  particular  lan- 

guage,  which  each  of  them  understood  ; now  it  sounded 
like  a piping,  now  like  a screeching,  now  like  a whistling, 
and  with  some  like  music  without  words.  Once  it  came 
into  the  heads  of  the  birds  that  they  would  go  no  longer 
without  a King,  but  would  choose  one  among  themselves. 
Only  one  bird,  the  Plover,  was  opposed  to  this  plan  ; “ Free 
I have  lived  and  free  I will  die !”  he  said,  and  so  flew 
angrily  away,  crying,  “ Where  shall  I rest?  where  shall  I 
rest?”  He  flew  on  till  he  came  to  an  unfrequented  swamp, 
and  there  he  stayed,  and  never  showed  himself  again 
among  his  fellows. 

The  birds  kept  to  their  first  resolution,  and  one  fine 
May  morning  they  all  assembled  together  from  the  woods 
and  fields.  There  were  the  Eagles  and  Finches,  the  Owls 
and  the  Crows,  the  Larks  and  the  Sparrows ; (need  I name 
them  all  ?)  for  even  the  Cuckoo  came,  and  the  Hoopoe  his 
coachman,  so  called  because  he  always  appears  two  days 
earlier;  also  a very  small  Bird  who  as  yet  had  no  name, 
mingled  in  the  crowd.  The  Hen,  who  by  chance  had 
heard  nothing  of  the  affair,  wondered  at  the  immense 
assemblage.  “Wat,  wat,  wat,  is  all  this?”  she  quacked, 
but  the  Cock  comforted  his  dear  Hen,  by  telling  her  what 
it  all  meant.  It  was  determined  that  he  should  be  King 
who  could  fly  the  highest,  and  thereupon  a green  Frog 
which  sat  among  the  bushes  began  to  croak,  “ Katt,  natt, 
natt,  natt !”  because  it  thought  that  there  would  be  many 
tears  shed  on  that  account.  But  the  Crow  cried  out,  “ Back, 
croaker  ! everything  will  be  kept  quiet.” 


King  Wren. 


299 


It  was  next  resolved  that  the  trial  should  be  made  at 
once,  because  it  was  such  a beautiful  morning,  and  in  order 
that  no  one  might  afterwards  say,  “ I could  easily  have 
flown  much  higher,  but  the  evening  coming  on  prevented 
me.” 

At  a siven  sign  the  whole  assemblage  mounted  in  the 
air,  causing  such  an  irhmense  dust  to  rise  from  the  field, 
that  it  seemed  as  if  a black  cloud  was  formed  with  the 
whirring,  rustling,  and  beating  of  their  wings.  The  small 
birds,  however,  soon  fell  back,  for  they  could  not  fly  very 
far,  and  so  they  alighted  on  the  ground  again.  The  larger 
birds  kept  it  up  longer,  but  none  of  them  like  the  Eagle, 
who  mounted  so  high  that  he  almost  touched  the  sun  ! 
Then  he  perceived  that  the  others  were  not  near  him  at 
all,  and  he  thought  to  himself,  “ Who.t  need  I to  fly  any 
higher?  I am  certainly  the  King!”  and  so  saying,  he 
began  to  fly  downwards.  When  he  alighted,  the  birds  all 
exclaimed,  “You  must  be  our  King,  nobody  has  flown 
higher  than  you !” 

“ Except  me !”  cried  the  little  fellow  without  a name, 
who  had  hid  himself  among  the  feathers  on  the  Eagle’s  back ; 
and  so  saying  he  flew  up  high  and  higher  still  than  the 
Eagle.  When  he  had  got  as  high  as  he  possibly  could,  he 
folded  his  wings  and  dropped  down  again,  exclaiming  with 
his  shrill  voice,  “ I am  King,  I am  King!” 

“You,  our  King?”  replied  the  other  birds  in  a rage, 
“you  have  gained  it  by  means  of  craft  and  stratagem!” 
So  they  made  another  condition  that  he  should  be  King 
who  should  fall  deepest  into  the  earth. 

How  the  Goose  swam  cackling  to  land  with  her  broad 
breast!  How  quickly  the  Cock  grubbed  up  a hole!  The 
Duck  went  the  boldest  to  work,  for  she  jumped  into  a 
grave,  but  in  so  doing  sprained  her  foot,  and  waddled 
away  to  the  nearest  pond,  crying,  “ Bad  work,  bad  work !” 
But  the  Little  Bird  without  a name  found  a mouse-hole, 


300 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


into  which  it  crept  and  called  out  in  its  shrill  voice,  “ I 
am  Kins',  I am  Kins;!” 

“You  our  King!”  replied  the  other  birds,  in  a rage, 
“do  you  think  your  cunning  shall  gain  you  anything?” 
and  they  resolved  to  keep  the  poor  Bird  in  the  hole  and 
starve  him  out.  Thereupon  the  Owl  was  set  to  keep  watch 
during  the  night,  and  forbidden  to  let  out  his  charge  on 
pain  of  death  ! Then,  because  they  were  weary  with  so 
much  flying,  and  the  evening  was  come,  the  other  birds 
went  to  bed  with  their  wives  and  children,  leaving  the 
Owl  standing  alone  by  the  mouse-hole,  staring  into  it  with 
both  his  eyes.  By-and-by  the  Owl  began  to  feel  tired,  and 
thought  one  eye  would  do  to  watch  that  the  evil  thing  did 
not  escape,  while  he  went  to  sleep  with  the  other.  Soon 
the  Little  Bird  peeped  out,  and  thought  about  escaping; 
but  the  Owl  perceived  him,  and  drove  him  back.  Then 
the  Owl  began  to  close  first  one  eye,  and  go  to  sleep  with 
that,  and  then  the  other,  and  so  he  intended  to  pass  the 
whole  night ; but  unluckily  he  once  forgot  to  open  the  one 
eye  when  he  shut  the  other,  and  so  going  to  sleep  with 
both  he  did  not  remark  the  Little  Bird,  who  took  advan- 
tage of  this  slip  to  make  his  escape. 

From  that  time  the  Owl  dared  not  any  more  suffer 
himself  to  be  seen  by  day,  for  fear  the  other  birds  should 
pursue  him,  and  maltreat  him.  He  flies  now  only  during 
the  night  and  persecutes  mice,  because  they  make  such,  to 
him,  unfortunate  holes ! The  Little  Bird,  too,  did  not  like 
to  venture  among  the  others,  lest  he  should  be  injured,  or 
killed.  He  concealed  himself  in  the  hedges : and  when  he 
thought  himself  quite  safe,  he  called  out,  “I  am  King,  I 
am  King !”  Therefore  the  other  birds  called  him  Hedge- 
King  in  scorn,  and  that  means  the  Wren. 


CLXV. 

The  Sole. 


THE  Fishes  once  grew  very  discontented  because  no 
order  was  kept  in  their  dominions.  Hone  turned 
aside  for  the  others,  but  each  swam  right  or  left  just  as  it 
pleased  him,  sometimes  between  those  who  wished  to  be 
together,  or  else  pushed  them  to  one  side,  and  the  stronger 
ones  gave  the  weaker  blows  with  their  tails,  which  made 
them  get  "out  of  the  way  as  fast  as  they  could,  or  else 
devoured  them.  “How  nice  it  would  be,”  thought  the 
Fishes,  “if  we  had  a king  who  should  exercise  the  power 
of  judging  between  us!”  And  so  at  last  they  assembled 
together  to  choose  a lord,  who  should  be  he  who  could 
swim  the  quickest  and  render  help  best  to  the  weaker 
fishes. 

So  they  laid  themselves  all  in  rank  and  file  by  the 
shore,  and  the  Pike  gave  a signal  with  his  tail,  on  which 
they  started  off.  Like  an  arrow  darted  away  the  Pike, 
closely  followed  by  the  Herring,  the  Gudgeon,  the  Perch, 
and  the  Carp,  'and  the  rest.  Even  the  Sole  swam  among 
them,  hoping  to  gain  the  prize. 

All  at  once  a cry  was  heard,  “ The  Herring  is  first,  the 
Herring  is  first!”  “Who  is  first?”  asked  the  flat  envious 
Sole,  in  a vexed  tone,  “who  is  first?” 

“The  Herring,  the  Herring!”  was  the  reply. 

“ The  nak-ed  Her-ring,  the  nak-ed  Her -ring !”  said  the 
Sole  disdainfully.  And  since  that  time  the  Sole’s  mouth 
has  become  all  on  one  side  for  a punishment. 


c c 


clxyi. 

The  Bittern  and  the  Hoopoe. 


“ TTTHERE  do  you  find  the  best  pasturage  for  your 
» ▼ flocks?”  asked  a Master  of  an  old  Cowherd. 

“ Here,  Master,  where  the  grass  is  neither  too  thick  nor 
too  scarce ; else  it  is  no  use !” 

“Why  not?”  asked  the  Master. 

“Do  you  hear  that  moaning  cry  out  on  the  meadow?” 
asked  the  Cowherd ; “ that  is  the  Bittern,  who  was  once  a 
herdsman,  and  the  Hoopoe  also.  I will  tell  you  the  tale. 

“ The  Bittern  once  kept  his  flocks  on  a flourishing 
green  meadow,  where  flowers  grew  in  great  abundance, 
so  that  the  cows  became  fat  and  mettlesome.  But  the 
Hoopoe  drove  his  cattle  to  a high  and  barren  hill,  where 
the  wind  twisted  the  sand  about,  and  his  cows  therefore 
grew  thin,  and  gained  no  strength.  When  evening  came, 
and  the  flocks  had  to  be  driven  home,  the  Bittern  could 
not  collect  his  cows,  because  they  were  so  well  fed,  and 
they  ran  away  from  him.  He  called  to  them,  ‘ Come  here, 
pretty  cows !’  but  in  vain,  they  paid  no  attention  to  his 
words.  The  Hoopoe,  on  the  contrary,  could  not  get  his 
cows  upon  their  legs,  they  were  become  so  weary  and 
strengthless.  ‘ Up,  up  ! get  up !’  he  cried ; but  it  was  no 
use,  they  remained  lying  on  the  sand.  And  so  it  always 
happens  when  one  does  not  keep  things  in  moderation. 
And  to  this  day,  although  they  no  longer  keep  flocks,  the 
Bittern  cries  daily,  ‘Bunt  herum,’  and  the  Hoopoe,  ‘Up! 


CLXVII. 


The  Owl. 


COUPLE  of  hundred  years  ago,  when  people  were 


not  so  wise  and  crafty  as  they  are  now-a-days,  a 
curious  circumstance  occurred  in  a certain  small  town. 
By  chance,  one  of  the  large  Owls,  which  folks  call  Screech- 
Owls,  came  from  a neighbouring  forest,  and  took  up  its 
dwelling  in  a shed  belonging  to  a citizen  of  the  town,  from 
whence  it  dared  not  come  out  except  at  night,  for  fear  the 
other  birds  should  raise  a great  outcry  against  it  for  dis- 
turbing their  peace.  One  morning  when  the  Stable-boy 
went  into  the  shed  to  fetch  some  straw,  he  was  frightened 
on  perceiving  the  Owl  so  dreadfully,  that  he  ran  away, 
and  told  his  Master  that  a horrible  monster,  such  as  he  had 
never  before  seen  in  his  lifetime,  was  sitting  in  one  corner 
of  the  shed,  and  rolled  its  eyes  round  as  if  it  would  devour 
everything  it  could  see.  “ I know  you  of  old,”  replied  his 
Master;  “you  have  courage  enough  to  chase  a blackbird 
over  the  fields,  but  if  you  see  a dead  hen  lying  about,  you 
want  a stick  laid  on  you  before  you  wall  approach  it.  I 
must  now  go  myself  and  see  what  sort  of  monster  this  is.” 
So  saying,  the  Master  set  off  and  walked  as  bold  as 
possible  into  the  shed  and  peeped  round.  But  as  soon  as 
he  saw  the  curious  and  hideous  creature  with  his  own  eyes 
he  went  into  as  great  a panic  as  his  servant.  He  made  his 
escape  with  a couple  of  leaps  and  ran  to  his  neighbours, 
whom  he  begged  with  tears  in  his  eyes  to  come  and  assist 
him  against  an  unknown  and  dangerous  animal,  or  perhaps 
the  whole  town  might  be  endangered,  if  it  should  make 
its  escape  from  the  shed  where  it  was  concealed.  Imme- 
diately there  arose  a great  outcry  and  noise  in  the  streets 


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Grimm’s  Household  Stories.  * 


of  the  town,  and  the  townsmen  came  armed  with  spikes,, 
rakes,  spades,  and  hatchets,  as  if  they  were  going  to  attack 
an  enemy.  At  last  appeared  the  Mayor  himself  at  the 
head  of  his  councillors,  and  when  they  were  all  arranged  in 
the  market-place,  they  made  their  way  to  the  shed  and  sur- 
rounded it  on  all  sides.  Then  one  of  the  bravest  of  the 
assemblage  stepped  before  the  others  and  entered  the  shed 
armed  with  a pole ; but  he  came  out  again  directly  with  a 
shriek,  and  looking  as  pale  as  death  he  ran  off  without  say- 
ing a word.  Two  others  next  made  the  attempt,  but  they 
met  with  no  better  success ; and  at  last  a tall  and  very  strong 
man,  renowned  for  his  deeds  of  valour,  stepped  forward 
and  said,  “ With  bare  looking  at  the  monster  you  will 
never  drive  him  away  ; some  determination  must  be  used  ; 
but  I see  you  are  all  playing  the  part  of  old  women,  and 
none  of  you  will  beard  the  enemy.”  So  saying,  he  caused 
his  body  armour,  his  sword  and  spear  to  be  brought,  and, 
equipping  himself  with  these,  prepared  for  the  attack,  while 
all  the  others  praised  his  courage,  although  many  of  them 
feared  for  his  life.  The  two  doors  of  the  shed  were  thrown 
open,  and  the  warrior  perceived  the  Owl  perched  in  the 
middle  of  a large  beam  which  ran  across.  He  caused  a 
ladder  to  be  brought,  and  when  it  was  fixed  ready  for  him 
to  mount,  all  called  out  to  him  to  behave  bravely,  and 
reminded  him  of  St.  George  and  the  Dragon.  He  mounted 
the  ladder,  and  as  the  owl  saw  what  his  intentions  were, 
and  became  frightened  also  by  the  cries  of  the  people  out- 
side, who  prevented  its  exit,  it  rolled  its  eyes,  ruffled  its 
feathers,  snapped  its  beak,  and  screeched  loudly.  “Rush 
on  it,  rush  on  it!”  exclaimed  the  crowd  to  the  valiant  Sol- 
dier. “If  you  stood  where  I do,”  he  replied,  “you  would 
not  be  so  ready  to  shout.”  Then  he  mounted  a stave 
higher  on  the  ladder;  but  there  he  began  to  tremble,  and 
at  length  he  beat  a retreat  half  fainting ! 

And  now  there  was  no  one  left  who  would  venture  to 


The  Owl. 


305 


face  the  danger.  “The  monster,”  said  the  crowd,  “has  all 
but  poisoned  and  wounded  to  death  with  his  snapping  and 
breathing,  our  strongest  man,  and  shall  we  also  venture  our 
lives?”  Thereupon,  they  consulted  with  one  another  what 
they  should  do  to  prevent  ruin  from  involving  the  whole 
town.  For  a long  time  nothing  satisfactory  was  proposed, 
until  at  last  the  Mayor  hit  on  a plan.  “ My  idea  is  this,” 
he  said ; “ that  out  of  the  common  purse  we  purchase  and 
make  good  to  the  owner  this  stable  with  all  that  it  contains, 
straw,  hay,  and  corn,  and  then  that  the  whole  building, 
together  with  the  fearful  monster  therein,  be  burnt  to 
ashes,  and  so  no  one  shall  lose  his  life  by  this  occurrence. 
There  is  no  time  to  spare,  and  parsimony  in  this  case 
would  be  badly  exercised.” 

All  the  rest  agreed  to  this  proposal,  and  so  the  shed 
was  set  light  to  at  the  four  corners,  and  the  poor  Owl 
miserably  burnt  to  death ! 


CLXVIII. 


Misfortune 


HEN  misfortune  pursues  any  one,  it  will  find  him 


out  into  whatever  corner  he  may  creep,  or  however 
far  he  may  flee  over  the  world. 

Now,  once  upon  a time,  a certain  man  became  so  poor, 
that  he  had  not  a single  faggot  of  wood  left  wherewith  to 
light  his  fire.  So,  he  went  into  the  forest  to  fell  a tree,  but 
they  were  all  too  large  and  too  strong ; and  he  penetrated 
deeper  among  them  till  he  found  one  which  he  thought 
would  do.  Just  as  he  was  about  to  raise  his  axe  he  per- 
ceived a pack  of  wolves,  coming  out  of  the  brushwood, 
who  howled  dreadfully  as  they  came  nearer.  The  man 
threw  away  his  axe,  and  ran  till  he  can/e  to  a bridge.  The 
deep  water,  however,  had  rotted  the  bridge;  and  so,  just 
as  he  was  about  to  run  over  it,  it  cracked  and  fell  into  the 
water.  What  was  he  to  do  now?  If  he  stopped  still,  the 
wolves  would  overtake  him  and  tear  him  to  pieces;  so  in 
his  perplexity,  he  jumped  into  the  water,  but  there,  because 
he  could  not  swim,  he  soon  began  to  sink.  By  chance  a 
couple  of  fishermen,  who  sat  on  the  other  bank,  saw  him ; 
and  one  of  them  swam  after  him  and  brought  him  to  shore. 
Then  they  laid  him  down  beneath  an  old  wall,  to  dry  in 
the  sunshine  and  regain  his  strength  a bit.  But  just  as  he 
■recovered  his  senses,  and  tried  to  thank  the  fishermen  for 
their  help,  and  to  tell  his  tale,  the  wall  fell  upon  him  and 
crushed  him ! 


The  Duration  of  Life. 


WHEN  the  world  was  first  created,  it  was  appointed 
how  many  years  each  creature  should  exist.  So 
the  Ass  came  and  inquired  how  long  he  was  to  live. 
“Thirty  years,”  he  was  told,  and  asked,  “Is  that  suffi- 
cient?” “Alas!”  replied  the  Ass,  “that  is  a longtime. 
Think  how  many  wearisome  burdens  I shall  have  to  carry 
from  morning  till  night;  cornsacks  to  the  mill,  that  others 
may  eat  bread,  and  I receive  nothing  but  blows  and  kicks, 
and  yet  keep  always  active  and  obliging ! Take  away 
some  of  my  years,  I pray !” 

So  the  Ass  was  pitied,  and  a life  of  only  eighteen  years 
appointed  to  him;  whereupon  he  went  gladly, away,  and 
the  Dog  then  made  his  appearance,  and  asked  the  same. 
“How  long  do  you  wish  to  live?”  was  inquired  of  him  ; 
“ thirty  years  were  too  much  for  the  Ass  ; but  perhaps  you 
will  be  satisfied.”  “ Do  you  mean  so  ?”  said  the  Dog  ; “ re- 
member how  much  I shall  have  to  run ; my  feet  will  not 
last  it  out;  and  then  when  I have  lost  my  voice  and  can- 
not bark,  and  my  teeth  and  cannot  bite,  what  will  there  be 
for  me  to  do  but  to  crawl  and  howl  from  one  corner  to 
another  ?” 

So  the  Dog’s  plea  was  allowed,  and  twelve  years  ap- 
pointed for  his  age,  after  which  he  departed  and  made 
room  for  the  Monkey.  “ You  will  live  thirty  years  will- 
ingly, no  doubt,”  was  said  to  the  Monkey ; “ you  need  not 
work  like  the  Ass  and  the  Dog,  and  therefore  will  always 
be  well  off.” 

“ Alas  ! it  should  be  so,”  said  the  Monkey ; “ but  really 
it  is  very  different.  I must  always  be  making  comical 


308 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


faces  for  people  to  laugh  at ; and  all  the  apples  they  give 
me  to  eat  turn  out  sour  ones.  How  often  is  sadness  hidden 
by  a joke  ! But  thirty  years  I can  never  endure !” 
Thereupon  ten  years  were  allowed  to  him. 

Last  of  all  Man  appeared,  healthy  and  vigorous,  and 
requested  a time  to  be  appointed  to  him.  “You  shall  live 
thirty  years,”  was  the  reply ; “is  that  enough?”  “What 
a short  time!”  exclaimed  Man;  “just  when  I shall  have 
built  myself  a house,  and  lighted  a fire  upon  my  own 
hearth,  and  just  when  I shall  have  planted  trees  to  bear 
me  fruit  in  their  season,  and  I am  thinking  of  enjoying  life, 
I must  die ! I pray  let  my  life  be  lengthened !” 

“ The  eighteen  years  of  the  Ass  shall  be  added.” 

“ That  is  not  enough !”  said  Man. 

“You  shall  have  also  twelve  years  of  the  Dog’s  life.” 

“ Still  too  little  !”  replied  Man. 

“ Well,  then,  you  may  have  the  ten  years  allowed  to 
the  Monkey  ; but  you  must  desire  no  more.” 

Man  was  then  obliged  to  leave,  but  he  was  not  satisfied. 
Thus  Man  lives  seventy  years.  The  first  thirty  are  the 
days  of  his  manhood,  which  pass  quickly  away ; he  is  then 
healthy  and  vigorous,  works  with  pleasure,  and  rejoices  in 
his  being.  Then  follow  the  eighteen  years  of  the  life  of 
the  Ass,  which  bring  to  him  one  burden  after  another ; he 
must  work  for  corn  which  nourishes  others,  and  abuse  and 
blame  become  the  reward  of  his  labours.  Next  come  the 
twelve  years  of  the  Dog,  during  which  Man  has  to  sit  in 
corners,  grumbling  because  he  has  no  longer  any  teeth  to 
bite  with.  And  when  this  time  is  up,  then  the  ten  years 
of  the  Monkey  bring  the  close  of  the  scene.  Then  Man 
becomes  childish  and  foolish,  and  does  strange  things,  which 
make  him  ridiculous  in  the  eyes  of  children ! 


CLXX 


Death’s  Messengers. 


IN  olden  times,  a Giant  was  once  wandering  up  and  down 
a road,  when  suddenly  an  unknown  man  appeared  in 
his  path,  and  cried,  “ Stop  ! not  a step  further.”  “ What, 
you  stripling !”  said  the  Giant,  “ why,  I could  crush  you 
between  my  fingers ; will  you  stand  in  my  way  ? Who 
are  you  who  speak  so  boldly  ?” 

“I  am  Death,”  replied  the  stranger,  “whom  nobody 
opposes,  and  whose  commands  you  must  obey.” 

The  Giant,  however,  refused,  and  began  to  wrestle  with 
Death.  It  was  a long  and  hasty  battle,  but  at  length  the 
Giant  got  the  best  of  it,  and  knocked  Death  down  with  his 
fist,  so  that  he  dropped  like  a stone.  Tfie  Giant,  thereupon, 
went  his  way,  leaving  Death  vanquished  and  strengthless, 
so  that  he  could  not  rise  again.  “ What  will  be  the  con- 
sequence?” thought  Death;  “if  I lie  here  in  this  corner 
nobody  will  die  in  the  world,  and  it  will  soon  get  so  full 
of  human  beings,  that  they  will  not  be  able  to  stir  for  one 
another.”  Just  then,  a Young  Man  came  up  the  road, 
strong  and  healthy,  singing  a song,  and  looking  well  about 
him.  As  soon  as  he  perceived  the  helpless  beaten  one,  he 
went  up  to  him,  and  compassionately  raising  him  poured 
a draught  of  cordial  out  of  his  flask  down  his  throat,  and 
waited  till  strength  returned.  “ Do  you  know,”  asked 
Death,  when  he  had  recovered  a bit,  “ do  you  know  who  I 
am,  whom  you  have  thus  helped  on  his  legs  again?” 

“No,”  replied  the  Youth,  “I  know  you  not.”  “I 
am  Death,”  he  replied ; “ I spare  no  one,  and  can 
take  no  excuse  from  you  even.  But,  to  show  you  that 


310 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


I am  not  ungrateful,  I promise  not  to  take  you  unawares ; 
but  I will  send  my  messengers  before  I come  and  fetch 
you.” 

“ Yery  well,”  said  the  Young  Man  ; “ that  is  a bargain, 
that  I shall  know  when  you  are  coming,  and  so  long  shall 
be  safe  from  your  visit.” 

With  this  understanding  he  pursued  his  way  merrily, 
and  lived  in  prosperity  for  some  time.  But  youth  and 
health  will  not  remain  for  ever ; soon  came  sicknesses  and 
troubles  to  the  Young  Man,  so  that  he  complained  by  day 
and  could  get  no  rest  at  night.  “I  shall  not  die,”  he  said 
to  himself,  “ for  Death  must  first  send  his  messengers ; but 
I wish  these  terrible  days  of  illness  were  over  1” 

By-and-by  he  did  get  well  again,  and  began  to  live  as 
usual.  One  day  somebody  knocked  at  the  window,  and 
looking  round  he  saw  Death  standing  behind  him,  who 
said,  “Follow  me,  the  hour  is  come  for  your  departure 
from  the'  world.” 

“How  so?”  exclaimed  the  Man;  “will  you  break  the 
promise  that  you  made  to  me  to  send  your  messengers 
before  you  came  yourself?  I have  seen  none.” 

“Be  silent,”  replied  Death  ; “have  I not  sent  you  one 
messenger  after  another? — did  not  fever  come  and  seize 
you,  shake  you,  and  lay  you  prostrate  ? — did  not  a giddi- 
ness oppress  your  head? — had  you  not  gout  in  all  your 
limbs?— did  not  a singing  noise  injure  your  ears? — had 
not  you  lumbago  in  your  back? — a film  over  your  eyes? — 
Above  all,  did  not  my  dear  half-brother,  Sleep,  remind  you 
of  me  every  night  when  you  laid  down,  as  if  you  were 
already  dead?” 

The  Man  knew  not  what  to  reply  to  all  this,  and  sur- 
rendering himself  therefore  to  his  fate  he  followed  Death. 


CLXXI. 

Master  Cobblersawl. 


MASTER  COBBLERSAWL  was  a small,  meagre,  but 
very  active  man,  who  had  no  rest  in  him.  His  face, 
whose  only  prominent  feature  was  a turned-up  nose,  was 
seamed  and  deadly  pale ; his  hair  was  grey  and  rough ; 
his  eyes  small,  but  they  peered  right  and  left  in  a piercing 
way.  He  observed  everything,  found  fault  with  every- 
thing, knew  everything  better  and  did  it  better  than  any 
one  else  in  his  own  estimation.  When  he  walked  in  the 
streets  he  swung  his  two  arms  about  in  such  a hasty  fashion, 
that  once  he  knocked  the  pail,  which  a girl  was  carrying, 
so  high  into  the  air  that  the  water  fell  all  over  him. 
“Sheep’s-head!”  he  exclaimed,  shaking  himself,  “could 
you  not  see  that  I was  following  you  ?”  By  trade  he  was 
a shoemaker ; and  when  he  was  at  work,  he  pulled  his 
thread  out  so  hastily,  that  nobody  went  near  him  for  fear 
of  his  elbows  poking  into  their  sides.  No  comrade  re- 
mained with  him  longer  than  a month,  for  he  had  always 
something  to  remark  upon  in  the  best  work.  Either  the 
stitches  were  not  even,  or  one  shoe  was  longer  than  the 
other,  or  one  heel  higher  than  the  other,  or  the  leather  was 
not  drawn  sufficiently  tight.  “Wait,”  he  would  say. to  a 
young  hand,  “ wait,  and  I will  show  you  how  one  can 
whiten  the  skin !”  and  so  saying,  he  would  fetch  a strap 
and  lay  it  across  the  shoulders  of  his  victim.  He  called 
everybody  idle  and  lazy ; but  still  he  did  not  do  much  for 
himself,  because  he  could  not  sit  quiet  two  quarters  of  an 
hour  together.  If  his  wife  got  up  early  in  the  morning 
and  lighted  a fire,  he  would  jump  out  of  bed  and  run 
barefeet  into  the  kitchen,  crying  out,  “ Do  you  want  to 


312 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


burn  the  house  down  ? there  is  a fire  fit  for  any  one  to 
roast  an  ox  at!  Wood  costs  money.” 

If  the  maid,  while  standing  at  the  washtub,  laughed  and 
repeated  to  herself  what  she-had  heard,  he  would  scold  her, 
and  say,  “ There  stands  a goose,  chattering  and  forgetting 
her  work  with  her  gossip.”  “Of  what  use  is  that  fresh 
soap?  shameful  waste  and  a disgraceful  dirtiness,  for  she 
wants  to  spare  her  hands  by  not  properly  rubbing  out  the 
stains!”  So  saying,  he  would  jump  up  and  throw  down  a 
whole  pailful  of  water,  so  as  to  set  the  kitchen  a swim- 
ming ! 

Once  they  were  building  a new  house  near  him,  and  he 
ran  to  his  window  to  look  on.  “There!  they  are  using 
that  red  sandstone  again  which  never  dries,”  he  said; 
“ nobody  in  that  house  will  be  healthy.  And  see  how 
quickly  the  fellows  .are  laying  on  the  stones  ! The  mortar 
too  is  not  properly  mixed;  gravel  should  be  put  in,  not 
sand.  I expect  the  house  will  fall  some  day  on  the  heads 
of  its  owners.”  So  saying,  he  sat  down  again,  and  did 
another  stitch  or  so  ; but  soon  he  sprang  up,  and  throwing 
away  his  apron  exclaimed,  “ I will  go  and  speak  to  those 
men  myself.”  The  carpenters  were  at  work  just  then. 
“IIow  is  this?”  he  asked;  “you  are  not  cutting  byline. 
Do  you  think  the  beams  will  lay  straight?  no,  they  will 
come  all  away  from  the  joists.”  Then  he  snatched  an  axe 
out  of  the  hand  of  one  of  the  carpenters  to  show  him  how 
he  should  cut;  but  just  then  a waggon  laden  with  clay 
chanced  to  be  going  past,  so  Master  Cobblersawl  threw 
away  the  axe,  and  cried  to  the  peasant  who  was  with  it, 
“You  are  not  rightly  humane!  who  would  harness  young 
horses  to  a heavily  laden  waggon  ? the  poor  beasts  will  fall 
down  presently.” 

The  peasant,  however,  gave  him  no  answer,  and  so  he 
went  back  to  his  workshop  in  a passion.  Just  as  he  was 
about  to  commence  again  the  job  which  he  had  left,  his 


Master  Cobblersawl. 


313 


apprentice  handed  him  a shoe.  “What  is  this,  again?” 
exclaimed  Master  Cobblersawl ; “ have  I not  told  you  often 
and  often  not  to  stitch  your  shoes  so  wide.  Who  will  buy 
a shoe  like  this  with  scarce  any  sole  at  all  to  it?  I desire 
that  you  will  follow  my  commands  to  the  letter.” 

“Yes,  master,”  replied  the  apprentice,  “you  maybe  in 
the  right  to  say  that  the  shoe  is  worth  nothing,  but  it  is  the 
very  same  that  you  sewed,  and  were  just  now  at  work 
upon ; for  when  you  ran  out  you  threw  it  under  the  table, 
and  I picked  it  up.  But  an  angel  from  heaven  would  not 
convince  you  that  you  were  wrong.” 

A night  or  two  afterwards  Master  Cobblersawl  dreamed 
that  he  was  dead  and  on  the  way  to  heaven.  When  he 
arrived  there  and  knocked  at  the  door,  the  Apostle  Peter 
opened  it  to  see  who  desired  to  enter.  “Ah,  is  it  you, 
Master  Cobblersawl?”  said  the  Saint,  “I  will  let  you  in 
certainly ; but  I warn  you  not  to  interfere  with  what  you 
may  observe  iu  heaven,  or  it  will  be  the  worse  for  you.” 
“You  might  have  spared  yourself  the  trouble  of  saying 
that,”  replied  Cobblersawl;  “I  know  very  well  howto 
behave*  myself ; and  here,  thank  Grod,  there  is  nothing  to 
blame,  as  there  is  on  earth.”  So  saying,  he  stepped  in 
and  walked  up  and  down  over  the  wide  expanse  of  heaven, 
looking  about  him  right  and  left,  and  now  and  then  sha- 
king his  head  or  muttering  to  himself.  Presently  he 
perceived  two  angels  carrying  a beam,  the  same  which  a 
certain  one  once  had  in  his  own  eye  when  he  perceived 
the  mote  in  his  brother’s  eye.  But  they  were  carrying  the 
beam  not  longways  but  crossways,  and  this  caused  Master 
Cobblersawl  to  say  to  himself,  “Did  ever  anybody  see  such 
stupidity  ?”  Still  he  held  his  tongue,  thinking  that  after 
all  it  was  no  matter  whether  the  beam  were  carried  straight 
or  not,  provided  it  did  not  interfere  with  anybody.  Soon 
afterwards  he  saw  two  angels  pouring  water  out  of  a spring 
into  a tub  which  was  full  of  holes,  so  that  the  water  escaped 
VOL.  it. — 14  n D 


314 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


on  al  sides.  They  were  watering  the  earth  with  rain. 
“Alle  Hagel!”  exclaimed  he  suddenly;  but  recollecting 
himself,  he  kept  his  opinions  to  himself,  and  thought, 
“ Perhaps  it  is  mere  pastime,  and  intended  for  a joke,  so 
that  one  may  do  idle  things  here  in  heaven  as  well  as  upon 
earth.”  So  he  went  onwards  and  saw  a waggon  stuck  fast 
in  a deep  rut.  “Ho  wonder,”  said  he  to  the  person  in 
charge;  “who  would  have  filled  it  so  extravagantly? 
what  have  you  there  ?” 

“Pious  wishes,”  replied  the  man;  “I  could  not  with 
them  get  along  the  right  road ; but  fortunately  I was  able 
to  get  my  waggon  on  it,  and  they  will  not  let  me  stick 
fast.” 

Just  then  an  angel  did  really  come  and  harnessed 
horses  to  the  waggon.  “Quite  right,”  thought  Cobbler- 
sawl ; “but  two  horses  are  not  enough  to  pull  the  waggon 
out : there  must  be  four  horses  at  the  least.”  Presently  came 
a.second  angel,  leading  two  more  horses,  but  he  did  not  har- 
ness them  before,  but  behind.  How  this  was  too  much  for 
Master  Cobblersawl.  “ Tallpatsch !”  he  exclaimed  aloud, 
“what  are  you  about?  Did  anybody  ever  as  long  as  the 
world  had  stood  pull  a waggon  in  that  way  up  this  road  ? 
You  think  you  know  better  than  I in  your  conceited 
pride !”  and  he  would  have  said  more,  but  one  of  the  in- 
habitants of  heaven  caught  him  by  the  neck  and  shoved 
him  out  of  the  place  with  a stern  push.  Just  outside  the 
gate  Master  Cobblersawl  turned  his  head  round,  and  saw 
the  waggon  raised  up  by  four  winged  horses. 

At  the  same  moment  he  awoke.  “ Things  are  certainly 
somewhat  different  in  heaven  to  what  they  are  on  earth,” 
he  said  to  himself,  “ and  much  may  therefore  be  excused ; 
but  who  could  patiently  see  two  horses  harnessed  behind  a 
waggon  and  two  before  ? Certainly  they  had  wings,  but  I 
did  not  observe  that  at  first.  However,  it  is  a great  absurd- 


Master  Cobblersawl. 


315 


itj  that  a horse  with  four  good  legs  must  have  wings  too ! 
But  I must  get  up,  or  else  they  will  make  further  mistakes 
about  that  house.  Still,  after  all,  it  is  a very  lucky  thing 
that  I am  not  dead.” 


CLXXII. 


The  Mx  in  the  Pond. 


HPHERE  was  once  upon  a time  a Miller  who  lived  very 
happily  with  his  Wife,  for  they  were  very  well  off,  and 
their  prosperity  increased  year  by  year.  But  misfortune 
comes  by  night.  As  their  riches  had  grown,  so  they  dis- 
appeared ; and  thus  they  melted  away  yearly  till  at  last 
the  Milller  had  only  his  mill,  and  that  he  could  scarcely 
call  his  own  property.  He  became  very  full  of  trouble 
over  his  losses;  and  when  he  lay  down  after  his  day’s 
work  he  could  get  no  rest,  but  tossed  about  in  his  bed, 
thinking  and  thinking.  One  morning  he  arose  before  day- 
break, and  went  out  into  the  open  air,  to  consider  some 
way  of  lightening  his  heart ; and  as  he  passed  by  the  mill- 
dam  the  first  ray  of  the  sun  shone  forth,  and  he  heard  a 
rippling  in  the  pond.  He  turned  round  and  perceived  a 
beautyful  Maiden,  raising  herself  slowly  out  of  the  water. 
Her  long  hair,  which  she  had  gathered  behind  her  shoulders 
with  her  long  fingers,  fell  down  on  both  sides  of  her  face, 
and  covered  her  white  bossom.  The  Miller  saw  at  once 
that  it  was  the  Nix  of  the  mill-pond,  and  he  knew  not 
from  fear  whether  to  stop  or  go  away.  The  Nix  solved 
his  doubts  by  calling  him  by  name  in  a gentle  voice,  and 
asking  him  why  he  was  so  sad.  At  first  the  Miller  was 
dumb ; but  as  she  spoke  so  kindly  to  him,  he  took  courage, 
and  told  her  that  he  had  once  lived  in  riches  and  prosper- 
ity, but  he  was  now  so  poor  he  knew  not  wbat  to  do. 

“Rest  quietly,”  said  the  Nix;  “I  will  make  you  richer 
and  happier  than  you  were  before ; only  you  must  promise 
me  that  you  will  give  me  what  has  just  now  been  born  in 
your  house.”  “ That  can  be  nothing  else  than  a puppy  or 


THE  NIX  IN  T1IE  POND.  You  II.  Paue  S16. 


' 

' 


- 


• ' • ' . 

i-  ; v 1 


” . r - ; ; 


The  Nix  in  the  Pond. 


317 


a kitten,”  thought  the  Miller,  and  so  promised  the  Nix 
what  she  desired.  Thereupon  she  dived  again  under  water, 
and  the  Miller  hastened  home  to  his  mill  in  good  spirits. 
He  had  almost  reached  it,  when  the  Maid  coming  from  it 
met  him,  and  told  him  to  rejoice,  for  his  Wife  had  just 
borne  him  a little  boy.  The  Miller  started  back,  as  if 
struck  by  lightning,  for  he  at  once  perceived  that  the 
crafty  Nix  was  aware  of  the  fact,  and  had  deceived  him. 
He  went  into  his  Wife’s  room  drooping  his  head ; and 
when  she  inquired  why  he  did  not  congratulate  her  on  her 
happiness,  he  told  her  what  had  happened,  and  the  pro- 
mise which  he  had  given  to  the  Nix.  “ Of  what  use  are 
wealth  and  good  luck  to  me,”  he  continued,  “if  I lose  my 
child?  but  what  can  I do?”  And  none  of  the  friends  who 
came  to  congratulate  him  on  the  birth  of  a son  and  heir 
could  give  any  advice. 

Meanwhile  the  luck  of  the  mill  returned.  What  its 
Master  undertook  prospered;  and  it  seemed  as  if  chests 
and  coffers  filled  themselves,  for  the  money  in  the  cup- 
board increased  every  night,  till  before  many  months  had 
passed  away,  the  Miller  was  much  richer  than  before.  He 
could  not,  however,  feel  any  pleasure  in  the  prospect,  for 
his  promise  to  the  Nix  weighed  on  his  mind  ; and  as  often 
as  he  passed  the  pond,  he  feared  lest  she  should  rise  and 
claim  her  debt.  The  Boy  himself  he  would  never  allow  to 
go  near  the  water;  but  told  him  continually  to  beware  of 
doing  so,  for  if  he  should  fall  in,  a hand  would  rise  and 
draw  him  under.  Still,  as  year  after  year  passed  away, 
and  the  Nix  made  no  second  appearance,  the  Miller  began 
to  lose  his  suspicions. 

The  Boy  grew  up  a fine  youth  and  was  bound  to  a 
Huntsman  to  learn  his  art,  which  when  he  had  thoroughly 
studied,  the  Lord  of  the  village  took  him  into  his  service. 
Now  in  this  village  there  dwelt  a beautiful  and  good 
Maiden,  wh.o  took  the  fancy  of  the  young  Hunter,  and 


318 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


when  his  Master  perceived  it,  he  presented  him  with  a 
small  cottage ; and  thereupon  the  two  married,  and  lived 
happily  and  lovingly  together. 

One  day  the  Hunter  pursued  a stag,  and  when  the  ani- 
mal escaped  from  the  forest  into  the  open  fields,  he  followed 
it,  and  at  last  struck  it  down  with  a shot  from  his  gun. 
But  he  did  not  observe  that  he  had  come  to  the  brink  of 
the  dangerous  pond,  and  so  when  he  had  flayed  his  booty, 
he  went  to  it  to  wash  his  hands  free  from  the  blood  stains. 
Scarcely  had  he  touched  it  when  the  Nix  arose,  and  smi- 
lingly embracing  him  with  her  naked  arms,  drew  him  so 
quickly  below  the  surface  that  the  water  rippled  on  with- 
out a bubble. 

By-and-by,  when  evening  came,  and  the  Hunter  did 
not  return  home,  his  wife  felt  very  anxious.  She  went 
out  to  seek  him ; and  as  he  had  often  told  her  that  he  had 
to  take  care  of  the  appearance  of  the  Nix,  and  not  venture 
too  near  the  mill-pond,  she  suspected  already  what  had 
happened.  She  hastened  to  the  water ; and  as  soon  as  she 
saw  his  gun  lying  on  the  bank,  she  could  no  longer  doubt 
the  misfortune  which  had  befallen  her.  Wringing  her 
hands  with  grief  and  terror,  she  called  her  beloved  by 
name,  but  in  vain;  she  hurried  from  one  side  of  the  pond 
to  the  other ; she  alternately  entreated  and  scolded  the 
Nix;  but  no  answer  followed — the  surface  of  the  water  re- 
mained as  smooth  as  a mirror,  and  only  the  half-crescent 
of  the  moon  looked  up  at  her  fixedly. 

The  poor  Wife  could  not  leave  the  water.  With  quick 
and  hasty  steps,  she  walked  round  and  round  the  pond 
without  cessation,  now  silent,  and  now  uttering  a fearful 
shriek,  and  anon  a smothered  lament.  At  length  her 
strength  forsook  her;  and  sinking  to  the  earth  she  fell 
into  a dfeep  sleep,  and  soon  a dream  passed  over  her  mind. 

She  thought  she  was  sorrowfully  climbing  up  between 
great  blocks  of  stone ; thorns  and  nettles  pierced  her 


The  Hix  in  the  Pond. 


319 


feet,  the  rain  beat  in  her  face,  and  the  wind  disordered  her 
long  hair.  But  when  she  reached  the  top  of  the  height, 
quite  another  aspect  appeared.  The  skj  was  blue,  the  air 
balmy,  the  ground  softly  declined ; and  upon  a green 
meadow,  spangled  with  flowers,  stood  an  elegant  cottage. 
She  thought  she  went  up  to  it  and  opened  the  door,  and 
saw  an  Old  Woman  with  white  hair  sitting  within,  who 
beckoned  to  her  kindly;  and  at  that  moment  she  awoke. 
The  day  was  already  dawning,  and  the  poor  Wife  deter- 
mined to  follow  out  her  dream.  There  was  a hill  close  by 
her,  and  up  this  she  ascended,  and  found  the  road  as  she 
had  seen  in  her  dream.  On  the  other  side  stood  the  cot- 
tage, and  in  it  an  Old  Woman,  who  kindly  received  her, 
and  showed  her  a chair  to  sit  down  upon.  “You  must 
have  suffered  some  misfortune  to  induce  you  to  seek  my 
solitary  hut,”  said  the  Old  Woman.  The  Wife  related  to 
her  with  tears  what  had  happened;  and  the  Old  Woman 
replied,  “ Be  comforted,  I will  help  you.  Here  you  have 
a golden  comb ; wait  now  till  the  rising  of  the  full  moon  ; 
and  then  go  to  the  pond,  and  sit  down  on  the  bank,  and 
comb  your  long  black  hair  with  it.  When  you  have  done, 
lie  down  on  the  bank,  and  you  will  see  what  happens.” 
The  Wife  returned,  but  the  time  passed  very  weari- 
somely till  the  rise  of  the  moon.  At  length  the  shining 
orb  appeared  in  the  sky,  and  she  went  down  to  the  pond, 
and,  sitting  on  its  bank,  combed  her  long  black  hair  with 
the  golden  comb,  and  then  lay  down  on  the  shore  to  wait 
the  issue.  In  a short  time  the  waters  began  to  bubble,  and 
a wave  rolling  on  to  the  bank,  carried  away  with  it  the 
comb  as  it  receded.  In  as  much  time  as  was  necessary  for 
the  sinking  of  the  comb  to  the  bottom,  the  waters  parted, 
and  the  head  of  the  Huntsman  appeared.  He  did  not 
speak,  but  looked  at  his  Wife  sorrowfully ; and  the  same 
moment  another  wave  rolled  on  and  covered  his  head. 
All  then  disappeared,  the  water  became  as  placid  as  before, 


320  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

and  nothing  was  to  be  seen  in  it  but  the  face  of  the 
moon. 

The  Wife  turned  back  uncomforted,  and  her  dreams 
again  showed  the  Old  Woman’s  hut.  So  a second  time 
she  travelled  up  the  hill,  and  laid  her  complaint  before  the 
Old  Woman,  who  this  time  gave  her  a golden  flute,  with 
directions  to  wait  till  the  next  full  moon,  and  then  to  play 
a sweet  tune  upon  the  shore  of  the  pond,  and  that  finished, 
to  lie  down  and  wait  the  result  as  before. 

The  Wife  did  exactly  as  the  Old  Woman  told  her,  and 
as  soon  as  she  laid  the  flute  down,  a bubbling  took  place  in 
the  water,  and  a rising  wave  carried  away  the  flute.  Then 
appeared  not  only  the  head  but  half  of  the  body  of  the 
Man,  and  stretched  out  his  arms  towards  his  Wife ; but  at 
the  same  instant  a wave  came,  and  covering  his  head,  drew 
him  down  again. 

“ Alas ! how  am  I helped,”  cried  the  unhappy  Wife, 
“if  I see  my  Husband  only  to  lose  him.”  Grief  again 
overcame  her ; but  in  her  dreams  she  visited  again  the  Old 
Woman’s  hut.  Accordingly  she  set  out  on  the  journey  a 
third  time,  and  received  a spinning-wheel  of  gold  from  the 
Old  Woman,  who  comforted  her,  and  told  her,  “All  is  not 
yet  complete  ; wait  till  the  next  full  moon,  and  then  sit 
down  as  before  on  the  shore  of  the  pond  and  spin  your  reel 
full,  which  done,  lay  it  down  near  the  water  and  await  the 
result.” 

rThe  Wife  did  everything  exactly.  As  soon  as  the  full 
moon  came  she  carried  her  wheel  to  the  shore  and  spun 
the  reel  full ; but  she  had  scarcely  set  it  down  against  the 
water  than  the  bubbles  began  to  rise  quicker  than  ever, 
and  a huge  wave  dashing  up  carried  away  with  it  the 
— spinning-wheel.  Immediately  afterwards  the  head  and 
whole  body  of  the  Man  arose,  and  he,  springing  quickly  to 
the  shore,  caught  his  Wife  by  the  hand  and  fled  away  with 
her.  But  they  had  gone  but  a little  distance,  when  with  a 


The  ISTix  in  the  Pond. 


321 


terrible  rushing  noise  the  whole  pond  overflowed  its  banks, 
and  streamed  away  into  the  fields  with  overwhelming  force. 
The  fugitives  perceived  at  once  death  before  their  eyes,  and 
in  her  terror  the  poor  Wife  called  upon  the  Old  Woman 
for  help,  and  in  a moment  they  were  changed,  the  one  into 
a Frog  and  the  other  into  a Toad.  The  flood  which  then 
reached  them  could  not  kill  them,  but  it  tore  them  asunder 
and  carried  them  far  away. 

When  the  water  subsided  again,  and  the  Toad  and 
Frog  touched  dry  ground  their  human  forms  returned,  but 
neither  knew  where  the  other  was,  and  both  were  among 
strange  people  who  knew  nothing  of  their  country.  High 
hills  and  deep  valleys  lay  between  them,  and  in  order  to 
earn  a livelihood  each  had  to  tend  sheep;  and  through 
many  long  years  they  fed  their  flocks  in  field  and  forest, 
grieving  and  longing  for  each  other. 

When  once  again  spring  had  covered  the  earth  with  its 
first-fruits,  it  chanced  that  both  drove  their  flocks  out  the 
same  day,  and  towards  the  same  point.  The  former  Hunts- 
man perceived  on  a distant  peak  of  a hill  a flock,  and 
drove  his  sheep  to  the  same  place.  Th'us  the  two  came 
together  in  a valley  ; but,  without  recognising  each  other, 
they  were  glad  that  they  would  have  no  longer  to  wander 
in  solitude.  From  that  day  they  drove  their  flocks  together, 
and  without  speaking  much,  they  felt  a certain  comfort  steal 
over  them.  One  evening  when  the  full  moon  appeared  in 
the  heavens,  and  the  flocks  were  resting,  the  Shepherd  tak- 
ing a flute  from  his  pocket,  played  a soft  and  mournful  air. 
As  he  finished  he  saw  that  the  Shepherdess  was. weeping 
bitterly,  and  he  asked  the  reason.  “ Alas  1 I remember,” 
she  replied,  “ how  the  full  moon  was  shining  as  it  is  now,' 
when  I played  that  air  upon  a flute  and  the  head  of  my 
beloved  rose  above  the  Water.” 

The  Shepherd  looked  at  her  as  she  spoke  with  an  ear- 
nest gaze,  and  as  if  a cloud  had  been  taken  away  from  his 
vol.  ii. — -14* 


322 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


eyes,  he  recognised  his  dear  Wife.  At  the  same  instant  she 
remembered  him,  for  the  moon  showed  his  face  clearly ; and 
I am  sure  no  one  needs  to  ask  how  happy  they  were,  and 
how  happy  they  remained. 


CLXxrii. 

The  Presents  of  the  Little  Folk. 


\ TAILOR  and  a Goldsmith,  were  once  wandering  in 
company,  and  one  evening,  when  the  sun  had  sunk 
behind  the  hills,  they  heard  the  sound  of  distant  music, 
which  became  clearer  and  clearer.  The  tones  were  uncom- 
mon, but  so  inspiriting,  that  forgetting  their  weariness  the 
two  walked  on.  The  moon  had  risen,  when  they  arrived 
at  a hillock  on  which  they  perceived  a number  of  little 
Men  and  Women,  who  had  joined  hands,  and  were  whirl- 
ing round  in  a dance  with  great  spirit  and  delight,  and  sing- 
ing thereto  in  the  sweetest  manner  possible,  and  so  making 
the  music  which  the  travellers  had  heard.  In  the  middle  sat 
an  old  Man,  taller  than  the  others,  who  wore  a parti- 
coloured coat  and  an  iron-grey  beard,  so  long  that  it  reached 
down  to  his  waist.  The  two  stopped,  full  of  wonder,  and 
looked  on  at  the  dancers,  when  the  Old  Man  beckoned  to 
them  to  join  in,  while  the  circle  opened  readily  to  receive 
them.  The  Goldsmith,  who  was  deformed,  and  like  all 
other  hunchbacks  quick  enough, 'stepped  in ; but  the  Tailor, 
feeling  shy  at  first,  held  back,  till,  seeing  how  merry  the 
circle  was,  he  took  heart  and  joined  in  too.  The  circle 
closed  again  directly,  and  the  Little  Folks  began  to  sing 
and  dance  in  the  wildest  manner,  while  the  Old  Man  taking 
a broad-bladed  knife,  which  hung  at  his  girdle,  sharpened 
it,  and  when  it  was  fit  looked  round  at  the  strangers. 
They  became  frightened,  but  they  had  no  time  to  consider  j 
for  the  Old  Man,  seizing  the  Goldsmith  and  then  the  Tailor, 
shaved  off  both  their  beards  and  hair  with  the  greatest  des- 
patch. Their  terror,  however,  disappeared  when  the  Old 
Man,  having  completed  this  work,  tapped  them  both  on 


824  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

the  shoulder  in  a friendly  manner,  as  much  as  to  say  they 
had  acted  well  in  having  endured  his  sport  without  resist- 
ance. Then  he  pointed  with  his  finger  towards  a heap  of 
coals  which  stood  on  one  side,  and  showed  them  by  signs 
that  they  should  fill  their  pockets  with  them.  Both  obeyed, 
though  neither  of  them  could  see  of  what  service  the  coals 
would  be  to  them;  and  then  they  journeyed  in  quest 
of  a night’s  lodging.  Just  as  they  came  to  the  next  valley 
the  clock  of  a neighbouring  church  struck  twelve,  and  at 
the  same  moment  the  singing  ceased,  all  disappeared,  and 
the  hill  lay  solitary  in  the  moonshine. 

The  two  wanderers  found  a shelter,  and,  making  a straw 
couch,  each  of  them  covered  himself  with  his  coat,  but  for- 
got through  weariness  to  take  the  coals  out  of  their  pockets. 
A heavy  weight  pressed  upon  their  limbs  more  than  usual, 
and  when  they  awoke  in  the  morning  and  emptied  their 
pockets,  they  could  not  trust  their  eyes  when  they  saw  that 
they  were  not  filled  with  coals,  but  pure  gold.  Tbeir  hair 
and  beard,  too,  had  also  grown  during  the  night  to  their 
original  length.  They  were  now  become  quite  rich,  but  the 
Goldsmith  was  half  as  rich  again  as  the  Tailor,  because  im- 
pelled by  his  covetous  nature,  he  had  filled  his  pokets  much 
fuller. 

How  a miserly  man,  the  more  he  possesses,  desires  yet 
an  increase ; and  so  it  happened  that  the  Goldsmith,  after 
the  lapse  of  a day  or  two,  made  a proposition  to  the  Tailor 
to  go  and  obtain  more  gold  from  the  Old  Han  of  the 
Mountain.  The  Tailor  refused,  saying,  “I  have  enough, 
and  am  satisfied : now  I am  become  a master-tradesman, 
and  I will  marry  my  object  (as  he  called  his  sweetheart), 
and  be  a happy  man.”  However,  he  stopped  behind  a day 
in  order  to  please  his  comrade.  In  the  evening,  the  Gold- 
smith slung  across  his  shoulders  a couple  of  bags,  that  he 
might  be  well  furnished,  and  then  set  out  on  his  road  to  the 
hillock.  He  found  the  little  folk  singing  and  dancing,  as 


The  Presents  of  the  Little  Folk. 


325 


on  the  previous  night ; and  the  Old  Man,  looking  at  him 
with  a smile,  treated  him  the  same  as  before,  and  pointed  to 
the  heap  of  coals  afterwards.  The  Goldsmith  delayed  no 
longer  than  was  necessary  to  fill  his  pockets,  and  then  re- 
turned home  in  high  glee,  and  went  to  sleep,  covered  with 
his  coat.  “ Although  the  gold  does  weigh  heavily,”  said  he 
to  himself,  “ I will  bear  it  patiently and  so  he  went  to 
sleep  with  the  sweet  belief  of  awaking  in  the  morning  a 
very  wealthy  man.  Judge,  therefore,  what  was  his  as- 
tonishment, when,  on  awaking  and  arising,  he  searched  in 
his  pockets,  and  drew  out  only  black  coals,  and  nothing  be- 
sides. He  consoled  himself,  however,  for  his  disappoint- 
ment, by  reflecting  that  he  still  possessed  the  gold  which 
he  had  taken  on  the  previous  night,  but  what  was  not  his 
rage  when  he  discovered  that  that  also  was  become  coal 
again ! He  beat  his  forehead  with  his  coal-begrimed 
hands,  and  then  found  out  that  his  whole  head  was  bald 
and  smooth  as  his  chin  ! His  mishaps  were  not  yet  ended ; 
for  he  perceived  that,  during  the  night,  a similar  hump  to 
that  on  his  back  had  made  its  appearance  on  his  breast. 
He  began  to  weep  bitterly  at  this  sight,  for  he  recognised 
in  it  the  punishment  of  his  covetousness.  The  good  Tailor, 
who  then  awoke,  comforted  the  unhappy  man  as  well  as 
he  could,  and  told  him  that  since  he  had  been  his  com- 
panion during  his  travels,  he  should  share  his  treasure  and 
remain  with  him. 

The  Tailor  kept  his  word ; but  the  poor  Goldsmith  had 
to  carry  all  his  lifetime  two  humps,  and  to  cover  his  bald 
head  with  a wig. 


E E 


CliXXIV. 


The  Giant  and  the  Tailor. 


CERTAIN  Tailor,  who  was  a large  boaster  but  a 


very  small  performer,  took  it  once  into  his  head  to  go 
and  look  about  him  in  the  world.  As  soon  as  he  could  he 
left  his  workshop,  and  travelled  away  over  hills  and  valleys, 
now  on  this,  and  now  on  that ; but  still  onwards.  After 
he  had  gone  some  way,  he  perceived  in  the  distance  a steep 
mountain,  and  behind  it  a lofty  tower,  which  rose  from 
the  midst  of  a wild  dense  forest.  “ Good  gracious !”  cried 
the  Tailor,  “what  is  this?”  and  driven  by  his  curiosity 
he  went  rapidly  towards  the  place.  But  he  opened  his 
mouth  and  eyes  wide  enough  when  he  got  nearer;  for  the 
tower  had  legs,  and  sprang  in  a trice  ov'er  the  steep  hill, 
and  stood  up  a mighty  Giant  before  the  Tailor.  “ What 
are  you  about  here,  you  puny  fly’s  legs  ?”  asked  the  Giant 
in  a voice  which  rumbled  on  all  sides  like  thunder.  “ I am 
trying  to  earn  a piece  of  bread  in  this  forest,”  whispered 
the  Tailor. 

“Well,  then,  it  is  time  you  entered  my  service,”  said 
the  Giant  fiercely. 

“If  it  must  be  so,  why  not?”  said  the  Tailor  humbly; 
“ but  what  will  you  give  me  ?”  “ What  wages  shall  you 
have  ?”  repeated  the  Giant  contemptuously  ; “ listen  and  I 
will  tell  you : every  year  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
days,  and  one  besides,  if  it  be  leap-year.  Is  that  right?” 

“Quite,”  said  the  Tailor;  but  thought  to  himself,  “one 
must  cut  according  to  his  cloth  ; I will  seek  to  ijiake  my- 
self free  very  soon.” 

“Go,  little  rascal,  and  fetch  me  a glass  of  water,”  cried 
the  Giant. 


The  .Giant  and  the  Tailor. 


327 


t£  Why  not  the  whole  well  and  its  spring  too  ?”  said  the 
Tailor,  but  fetched  as  he  was  bid.  “ What ! the  well  and 
its  spring  too  !”  bellowed  the  Giant,  who  was  rather  cow- 
ardly and  weak,  and  so  began  to  be  afraid,  thinking  to 
himself,  “ This  fellow  can  do  more  than  roast  apples ; he 
has  a heap  of  courage.  I must  take  care,  or  he  will  be  too 
much  of  a servant  for  me  !”  So,  when  the  Tailor  returned 
with  the  water,  the  Giant  set  him  to  fetch  a couple  of 
bundles  of  faggots  from  the  forest,  and  bring  them  home. 

“ Why  not  the  whole  forest  at  one  stroke,  every  tree,  young 
and  old,  knotty  and  smooth?”  asked  the  Tailor,  and  went 
away.  “ What ! the  whole  forest,  and  the  well  too,  and  its 
spring  !”  murmured  the  frightened  Giant  in  his  beard;  and 
he  began  to  be  still  more  afraid,  and  believed  that  the 
Tailor  was  too  great  a man  for  him,  and  not  fit  for  his  ser- 
vant . However,  when  the  Tailor  returned  with  his  load 
of  faggots,  the  Giant  told  him  to  shoot  two  or  three  wild 
boars  for  their  supper.  u Why  not  rather  a thousand  at 
one  shot  and.  the  rest  afterwards?”  cried  the  boaster. 
“ What,  what !”  gasped  the  cowardly  Giant,  terribly  fright- 
ened ; “ Oh ! well,  that  is  enough  for  to-day,  you  may  go 
to  sleep  now !” 

The  poor  Giant,  however,  was  so  very  much  afraid  of 
the  little  Tailor,  that  he  could  not  close  his  eyes  all  the 
night,  but  tossed  about  thinking  how  to  get  rid  of  his  ser- 
vant, whom  he  regarded  as  an  enchanter  conspiring  against 
his  life.  With  time  comes  counsel.  The  following  morn- 
ing the  Giant  and  the  Dwarf  went  together  to  a marsh 
where  a. great  many  willow  trees  were  growing.  When 
they  got  there  the  Giant  said,  “ Sit  yourself  on  one  of  these 
willow  rods,  Tailor ; on  my  life  I only  wish  to  see  if  you 
are  in  condition  to  bend  it  down.” 

The  boasting  Tailor  climbed  the  tree,  and  perched  him- 
self on  a bough,  and  then,  holding  his  breath,  he  made 
himself  heavy  enough  thereby  to  bend  the  tree  down. 


328 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Soon,  however,  he  had  to  take  breath  again,  and  imme- 
diately, having  been  unfortunate  enough  to  come  without 
his  goose  in  his  pocket,  the  bough  flew  up,  and,  to  the 
great  joy  of  the  Giant,  carried  with  it  the  Tailor  so  high 
into  the  air  that  he  went  out  of  sight.  And  whether  he  has 
since  fallen  down  again,  or  is  yet  flying  about  in  the  air,  I 
am  unable  to  tell  you  satisfactorily. 


CLXXV. 


The  Goose-Girl  at  the  Well. 


THEKE  was  once  upon  a time  a very,  very  old  Lady, 
who  dwelt  with  her  flock  of  geese  in  a waste  place 
between  two  hills,  where  she  had  a small  cottage.  The 
common  was  surrounded  by  a large  forest,  into  which  this 
old  Woman  hobbled  every  morning  on  crutches.  There 
she  was  very  active,  more  than  one  could  have  believed 
considering  her  great  age,  in  collecting  grass  for  her  geese; 
she  gathered  also  all  the  wild  fruit  she  could  reach,  and 
carried  it  home  on  her  back.  One  would  have  thought 
so  heavy  a burden  would  have  bowed  her  down  to  the 
ground,  but  she  always  reached  home  safe  and  sound.  If 
any  one  met  her,  she  greeted  him  kindly,  and  would  say, 
“Good  day  to  you,  my  dear  countryman;  what  beautiful 
weather  it  is ! Ah  ! you  wonder  how  I get  over  the  ground, 
but  every  one  must  bear  his  own  burden !”  People  at  last, 
however,  grew  afraid  to  meet  her,  and  took  a by-path ; and 
if  a father  passed  near  with  his  children,  he  would  say  to 
them,  “Take  care  of  that  old  Woman;  she  has  mischief 
behind  her  ears ; she  is  a witch.” 

One  morning  a lively  young  fellow  passed  through  the 
wood.  The  sun  was  shining  brightly,  the  birds  were  sing- 
ing, and  a gentle  breeze  was  blowing  among  the  trees  and 
made  everything  seem  gay  and  pleasant.  Still  he  had  met 
nobody,  till  he  suddenly  perceived  the  old  Woman  kneel- 
ing on  the  ground,  and  cutting  grass  with  a sickle.  She 
had  already  placed  a large  heap  in  her  handkerchief,  and 
by  her  side  stood  two  baskets,  filled  with  apples  and  wild 
berries.  “Ah!  my  good  Woman,”  exclaimed  the  youth, 
“how  will  you  carry  all  that?”  “I  must  carry  it,  my 


330 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


good  master,”  she  replied,  “but  rich  people’s  children  do 
not  want  to  do  such  things.  Will  you  not  help  me?”  she 
continued,  as  the  youth  remained  by  her;  “you  have  a 
straight  back  yet,  and  young  legs,  it  will  be  easy  for  you. 
My  house  is  not  far  from  here ; it  stands  on  the  common 
behind  yon  hill.  How  soon  your  legs  could  jump  there!” 
The  youth  took  compassion  on  the  old  Woman,  and 
replied  to  her,  “Certainly;  my  father  is  no  peasant,  but  a 
rich  Count;  still  that  you  may  see  it  is  not  only  the 
peasants  who  carry  burdens,  I will  take  your  bundle.” 

“If  you  will  try  it,”  said  the  old  Woman,  “I  shall  be 
much  obliged  to  you ; but  there  are  the  apples  and  berries 
which  you  must  carry  too.  It  is  but  an  hour’s  walk  which 
you  will  have  to  take,  but  it  will  seem  much  less  to  you.” 
The  youth  became  a little  thoughtful  when  he  heard  of 
an  hour’s  journey,  but  the  old  Woman  now  would  not  let 
him  off,  but  packed  the  handkerchief  of  grass  on  his  back, 
and  hung  the  two  baskets  on  his  arms.  “ See  you,  how 
light  it  is,”  she  said.  “No,  it  is  not  at  all  light,”  answered 
the  young  Count,  making  a rueful  face ; “ the  bundle 
weighs  heavily  as  if  it  were  full  of  big  stones,  and  the 
apples  and  berries  seem  like  lead;  I can  scarcely  breathe!” 
So  saying  he  would  have  liked  to  lay  the  bundle  down 
again,  but  the  old  Woman  would  not  permit  it.  “Just 
see,”  cried  she  in  scorn ; “ the  young  Lord  cannot  convey 
•what  an  old  Woman  like  me  has  so  often  borne.  You  people 
are  very  ready  with  your  fair  words,  but  when  it  comes  to 
working,  you  are  equally  ready  with  your  excuses.  Why 
do  you  stand  trembling  there?”  she  continued  ; “ come,  pick 
up  your  legs;  nobody  will  take  your  bundle  off  again.” 
Now  so  long  as  the  young  Count  wal ked  on  level 
ground,  he  managed  pretty  well,  but  when  he  came  to  the 
hill  and  began  to  ascend  it,  and  the  stones  rolled  under  his 
feet  as  if  they  were  alive,  his  strength  began  to  fail.  Drops 
of  sweat  stood  upon  his  brow,  and  ran  down  his  back, 


The  GrOOSE-GflRL  AT  THE  WELL. 


331 


now  hot  and  now  cold.  “My  good  "Woman,”  he  exclaimed, 
“ I can  go  no  further  till  I have  rested  a while.”  “ Not 
here,  not  here,”  answered  the  old  Woman;  “when  we 
arrive  at  our  destination  you  can  rest,  but  now  we  must 
keep  on;  who  knows  what  good  it  may  do  you!” 

“ You  are  shameless,  you  old  Woman !”  cried  the  Youth, 
trying  to  throw  away  the  bundle,  but  he  wearied  himself 
in  vain ; it  stuck  as  fast  to  his  back  as  if  it  had  grown 
there.  He  turned  and  twisted  himself,  but  with  no  effect ; 
he  could  not  get  rid  of  the  bundle,  and  the  old  Woman 
only  laughed  at  his  exertions,  and  danced  around  him  on 
her  crutches.  “ Don’t  put  yourself  in  a passion,  my  dear 
Lord,”  she  said;  “you  are  getting  as  red  in  the  face  as  a 
turkey-cock.  Bear  your  burden  patiently ; when  we  arrive 
at  home,  I will  give  you  a good  draught  to  refresh  you.” 
What  could  he  do?  He  was  obliged  to  bear  his  fate  and 
follow  patiently  behind  the  old  Woman,  who  appeared  to 
become  more  and  more  active  as  his  burden  grew  heavier. 
All  at  once  she  made  a spring  and  jumped  on  the  top  of 
the  bundle,  where  she  sat  down ; and  thin  and  withered  as 
she  was,  her  weight  was  yet  more  than  that  of  the  stoutest 
farm  servant.  The  Youth’s  knees  trembled  and  shook,  but 
if  he  did  not  keep  onwards,  the  old  Woman  beat  him  with 
a strap  and  stinging  nettles  about  the  legs.  Under  this 
continual  goading,  he  at  last  ascended  the  hill,  and  arrived 
at  the  old  Woman’s  cottage,  just  when  he  was  ready  to 
drop.  As  soon  as  the  geese  perceived  the  old  AYoman, 
they  stretched  out  their  wings  and  their  necks,  and  ran 
towards  her  crying  “Wulle!  wulle!”  Behind  the  flock 
walked  a middle-aged  Woman  with  a stick  in  her  band, 
who  was  big  and  strong,  but  as  ugly  as  night.  “My 
mother,”  said  she  to  the  old  Woman,  “has  something  hap- 
pened, that  you  have  remained  out  so  long?”  “Never 
fear,  my  dear  daughter,”  replied  the  old  Woman;  “nothing 
evil  has  met  me,  but  in  fact  the  young  Count  there  has 


832 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


carried  my  bundle  for  me : only  think,  when  I was  tired,  he 
took  me  also  on  his  back.  The  road  has  not  been  too  long 
either,  for  we  have  been  merry,  and  made  jokes  on  one 
another?”  At  length  the  old  Woman  ceased  talking,  and 
took  the  bundle  off  the  youth’s  back,  and.  the  baskets  from 
his  arms,  and  then  looking  at  him  cheerfully  she  said  to 
him,  “Sit  down  on  the  bench  by  the  door  and  rest  your- 
self; you  have  honestly  earned  your  reward,  and  it  shall 
not  be  overlooked and  turning  to  the  Goose-Girl  she 
continued,  “ Go  into  the  house,  my  daughter ; it  is  not 
correct  that  you  should  be  alone  with  this  young  man ; 
one  ought  not  to  'pour  oil  on  the  fire,  and  he  might  fall 
into  love  with  you.” 

The  young  Count  did  not  know  whether  to  laugh  or 
cry.  “Such  a treasure!”  he  thought  to  himself.  “Why, 
even  if  she  were  thirty  years  younger,  my  heart  would  not 
be  touched!”  Meanwhile  the  old  Woman  caressed  and 
stroked  her  geese,  as  if  they  were  children,  and  at  last 
went  into  the  house  with  her  daughter.  The  youth 
stretched  himself  on  the  bench  beneath  an  apple  tree, 
where  the  breeze  blew  softly  and  gently;  while  around 
him  was  spread  a green  meadow,  covered  with  primroses, 
wild  thyme,  and  a thousand  other  flowers.  In  the  middle 
of  it  flowed  a clear  stream,  on  which  the  sun  shone ; and 
the  white  geese  kept  passing  up  and  down,  or  paddling  in 
the  water.  “It  is  quite  lovely  here,”  he  said  to  himself; 
“but  I am  so  tired  that  I cannot  keep  my  eyes  open:  so  I 
will  sleep  a while,  provided  that  no  wind  comes  and  blows 
away  my  legs  from  my  body,  for  they  are  as  tender  as 
tinder !” 

After  he  had  slept  some  time,  the  old  Woman  came 
and  shook  him  till  he  awoke.  “ Stand  up,”  she  said  ; “you 
cannot  stop  here.  Certainly  I did  treat  you  rather  shab- 
bily, but  it  has  not  cost  you  your  life.  Now  I will  give 
you  your  reward ; it  will  be  neither  money  nor  property, 


The  Goose-Girl  at  the  Well. 


333 


but  something  better.”  With  these  words  she  placed  in 
his  hands  a small  book,  cut  out  of  a single  emerald,  saying, 
“ Keep  it  well,  and  it  will  bring  you  good  luck.” 

The  Count  thereupon  jumped  up,  and  felt  himself  quite 
strong  and  refreshed;  so  he  thanked  the  old  Woman  for 
her  present,  and  set  off  on  his  journey,  without  once  look- 
ing back  for  the  beautiful  daughter.  And  when  he  had 
walked  a considerable  way  he  could  still  hear  the  loud 
cackling  of  the  geese  in  the  distance. 

The  young  Count  had  to  wander  three  days  in  the 
wilderness  before  he  could  find  his  way  out,  and  then  he 
came  to  a large  city,  where,  because  nobody  knew  him,  he 
was  led  to  the  royal  palace,  where  the  King  and  Queen  sat 
on  their  thrones.  There  the  Count  sank  on  one  knee,  and 
drawing  forth  the  emerald-book,  laid  it  at  the  feet  of  the 
Queen.  She  bade  him  arise  and  hand  the  book  to  her; 
but  scarcely  had  she  opened  it  and  looked  at  its  contents, 
than  she  fell  as  if  dead  upon  the  ground.  Thereupon  the 
Count  was  seized  by  the  King’s  servants,  and  would  have 
been  led  off  to  prison,  had  not  the  Queen  soon  opened  her 
eyes  and  begged  him  to  be  set  at  liberty*,  for  she  must 
speak  with  him  privately,  and  therefore  every  one  must 
leave  the  room. 

As  soon  as  the  Queen  was  left  alone,  sue  began  to  weep 
bitterly,  and  to  say,  “ What  avails  all  this  honour  and 
pageantry  which  surrounds  me,  when  every  morning  I give 
way  to  grief  and  sorrow ! I once  had  three  daughters,  the 
youngest  of  whom  was  so  beautiful  that  all  the  world 
thought  her  a wonder.  She  was  as  white  as  snow,  as  red 
as  the  bloom  of  an  apple,  and  her  hair  was  like  the  shin- 
ing of  a sunbeam.  If  she  cried,  her  tears  were  like  pearls 
and  gems  falling  from  her  eyes.  When  she  was  fifteen, 
her  father  caused  her  and  her  sisters  to  come  before  his 
throne ; and  you  should  have  seen  how  the  people  opened 
their  eyes  when  she  came  in,  for  it  was  like  the  appearance 


334:  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

of  the  sun.  The  King  then  said  to  them,  ‘My  daughters, 
I know  not  when  my  last  day  will  arrive,  and  therefore 
to-day  I will  appoint  what  each  shall  do  at  my  death.  You 
all  love  me,  but  whoever  of  you  loves  me  best  shall  have 
the  best  portion.’  They  each  of  them  said  they  loved  him 
best;  and  the  King  then  asked  them  whether  they  could 
not  express  in  words  how  much  they  loved  him,  and  then 
he  should  be  able  to  judge.  So  the  eldest  said  she  loved 
him  as  the  sweetest  sugar;  the  second  that  she  loved  her 
father  as  her  smartest  dress;  but  the  youngest  was  silent. 
‘My  dear  child,  how  do  you  love  me?’  asked  the  King. 
‘I  know  not,’  she  replied;  ‘and  I can  compare  my  love 
with  nothing.’  Her  father,  however,  pressed  her  to  say 
something,  and  at  length  she  said,  ‘ The  most  delicate  food 
is  tasteless  to  me  without  salt,  and  therefore  I love  }mu, 
father,  like  salt.’  At  this  reply,  the  King  became  very 
angry,  and  exclaimed,  ‘ If  you  love  me  like  salt,  you  shall 
be  rewarded  with  salt.’  Thereupon  he  divided  the  king- 
dom between  the  two  eldest  daughters;  but  he  caused  a 
sack  of  salt  to  be  bound  on  the  shoulders  of  his  youngest 
child,  and  two -slaves  had  to  lead  her  into  the  wild  forest. 
We  all  wept  and  prayed  for  her  to  the  King,  but  his  anger 
was  not  to  be  turned  away.  How  did  she  not  weep  when 
she  left  us,  so  that  the  whole  path  was  strewn  with  the 
pearls  which  fell  from  her  eyes ! However,  afterwards,  the 
King  did  repent  of  his  great  harshness,  and  .caused  a search 
to  be  made  in  the  forest  for  the  poor  child,  but  -without 
success.  And  now,  -when  I think  how,  perhaps,  the  wild 
beasts  devoured  her,  I know  not  what  to  do  for  grief ; but 
many  a time  I try  to  comfort  myself  with  the  idea  that 
haply  she  is  living  still,  concealed  in  some  cave,  or  under 
the  hospitable  protection  of  some  one  who  found  her.  But 
imagine  my  feelings  when,  on  opening  your  emerald-book, 
I saw  lying  therein  a pearl  of  the  same  kind  as  used  to 
drop  from  my  daughter’s  eyes,  and  then  you  may  also 


The  Goose-Girl  at  the  Well. 


335 


conceive  liow  my  heart  was  moved  at  the  sight.  But  now 
you  shall  tell  me  how  you  came  by  the  pearl.” 

The  young  Count  then  told  the  Queen  that  he  had  re- 
ceived it  from  an  old  Woman,  living  in  a wood  which 
seemed  to  be  haunted,  and  who  appeared  to  be  a witch ; 
but  of  the  Queen’s  child  he  had  neither  seen  nor  heard 
anything.  The  King  and  Queen  came  to  the  resolution 
to  seek  out  this  old  Woman,  for  they  thought  where  the 
pearl  had  been,  there  they  should  also  obtain  news  of 
their  daughter. 

The  old  Woman  sat  in  her  house  in  the  wilderness 
spinning  at  her  wheel.  It  was  dark  already,  and  a faggot, 
which  burnt  on  the  hearth  below,  gave  a feeble  light.  All 
at  once  there  was  a noise  outside  ; the  geese  were  coming 
home  from  the  meadow,  and  they  cackled  with  all  their 
might.  Soon  afterwards  the  daughter  stepped  in,  but  the 
old  Woman  scarcely  thanked  her,  and  only  shook  her  head. 
The  daughter  sat  down,  and  taking  her  wheel  spun  the 
thread  as  quickly  as  a young  girl.  Thus  they  sat  for  two 
hours,  without  speaking  to  one  another,  till  at  length 
something  rattled  at  the  window,  and  two  fiery  eyes 
glared  in  from  the  outside.  It  was  an  old  night-owl, 
which  screeched  thrice;  and  then  the  old  Woman,  look- 
ing up  from  her  work,  said,  “ Now  is  the  time,  my  daugh- 
ter, for  you  to  go  out,  and  do  your  work.” 

The  daughter  got  up  and  went  away -over  the  meadows 
deep  into  a valley  beyond.  By-and-by,  she  came  to  a 
brook  near  which  stood  three  oak  trees ; and  at  the  same 
time  the  moon  arose  round  and  full  above  the  mountain, 
and  shone  so  brightly,  that  one  might  have  picked  up  a 
needle  by  its  light.  She  drew  off  the  mask  which  covered 
her  face,  and  then  bathing  in  the  brook  began  to  wash 
herself.  As  soon  as  she  had  done  that,  she  dipped  the 
mask  also  in  the  water,  and  then  laid  it  again  on  the  mead- 
ow to  dry  and  bleach  in  the  moonshine.  But  how  was  the 


336 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


Maiden  changed  ! So  much  as  you  could  never  have  fan- 
cied. Her  golden  hair  fell  down  like  sunbeams,  and  when 
she  removed  the  cap  which  confined  it,  it  covered  her 
whole  form.  Only  her  eyes  could  be  seen  peeping  through 
the  tresses  like  the  stars  in  heaven,  and  her  cheeks  bloom- 
ing like  the  soft  red  of  the  apple-blossoms. 

But  the  fair  Maiden  was  nevertheless  sad ; and  she  sat 
down  and  wept  bitterly.  One  tear  after  another  flowed 
from  her  eyes,  and  rolled  to  the  ground  between  her  locks ; 
and  thus  sitting  she  would  have  remained  for  a long  time 
had  she  not  been  disturbed  by  a rustling  noise  in  the 
branches  of  one  of  the  trees.  She  jumped  up  and  sprang 
away  like  a fawn  disturbed  by  the  gun  of  the  hunter;  and 
at  the  same  moment  a black  cloud  obscured  the  moon, 
under  cover  of  which  the  Maiden  slipped  on  her  old  mask 
and  disappeared  like  a light  blown  out  by  the  wind.  She 
ran  home,trembling  like  an  aspen-leaf,  and  found  the  old 
Woman  standing  before  the  door;  but  when  she  was  about 
to  relate  what  had  happened  to  her,  the  old  Woman  laughed, 
and  said  she  knew  already  all  about  it.  The  old  mother 
then  led  the  Maiden  into  the  room  and  lighted  a fresh  fag- 
got ; but  instead  of  sitting  down  to  her  wheel,  she  fetched 
a broom  and  began  to  sweep  and  dust.  “It  must  all  be 
clean  and  respectable,”  said  she  to  the  Maiden.  “ But, 
mother,”  replied  she,  “ why  do  you  begin  at  this  late  hour? 
what  is  the  matter  ?” 

“ Do  you  then  know  what  hour  it  is?”  inquired  the  old 
Mother. 

“ Not  quite  midnight,  but  past  eleven,”  returned  the 
daughter. 

“ Do  you  not  remember  then,”  continued  the  old 
Woman,  “that  to-day  you  have  been  with  me  three  years? 
Your  time  is  now  expired;  we  can  remain  together  no 
longer !” 

“ Alas ! dear  mother,  you  will  not  drive  me  out,”  said 


The  Goose-Girl  at  the  Well. 


337 


the  Maiden  in  an  alarmed  tone ; “ where  shall  I go  ? I have 
neither  home  nor  friends,  and  whither  could  I turn  ? I 
have  ever  done  all  you  desired,  and  you  have  been  satisfied 
with  me;  send  me  not  away!”  The  old  Woman  would 
not  however  tell  the  Maiden  what  was  coming,  but  said, 
instead,  “ My  dwelling  is  no  longer  here,  but  since  the 
house  and  this  room  must  be  clean  when  I leave,  hinder 
me  not  in  my  work,  and  cease  to  care  on  your  own  account ; 
you  shall  find  a roof  under  which  to  dwell,  and  with  the 
reward  which  I will  give  you,  you  will  also  be  contented.” 
“ But  do  tell  me  what  is  coming,”  entreated  the  Maiden. 
“I  tell  you  a second  time,  do  not  disturb  me  in  my 
work.  Speak  not  a word  more,  but  go  into  your  own 
room  and  pull  off  the  mask  from  your  face,  and  put  on  the 
beautiful  dress  which  you  wore  when  you  came  to  me,  and 
then  remain  where  you  are  till  I call  you.” 

And  now  I must  tell  you  what  befell  the  King  and 
Queen,  who  were  preparing,  when  we  last  heard  of  them, 
to  go  in  search  of  the  old  Woman  in  the  wilderness.  The 
Count  was  first  of  all  despatched  by  night  to  the  forest 
alone,  and  for  two  days  he  wandered  before  he  found  the 
right  road.  Along  this  he  went  till  darkness  overtook  him, 
and  then  he  climbed  a tree  to  pass  the  night,  for  he  feared 
he  might  lose  his  way  in  the  dark.  As  soon  as  the  moon 
rose  he  perceived  a figure  coming  across  the  mountain,  and 
although  she  had  no  rod  in  her  hand  he  could  not  doubt 
but  that  it  was  the  Goose-Girl,  whom  he  had  seen  before  at 
home  with  the  old  Woman.  “Oho!”  he  exclaimed  to 
himself;  “ here  comes  one  witch,  and  when  I have  got  her, 
I will  soon  catch  the  other !”  But  how  astonished  he  was, 
when  on  stepping  up  to  the  brook  she  laid  aside  her  mask 
and  washed  herself,  and  he  saw  her  golden  hair  fall  down 
and  cover  her  whole  figure,  and  render  her  more  beautiful 
than  any  one  he  had  ever  before  seen ! He  scarcely  ven- 
tured to  breathe,  but  he  stretched  out  his  neck  as  far  as  he 

VOL.  II.— 15  f f 


338  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

could  from  the  foliage  and  looked  at  her  with  fixed  eyes. 
Unfortunately  he  bent  over  too  far  and  the  bough  cracked 
beneath  his  weight,  and  at  the  same  instant  the  Maiden 
disappeared,  favoured  by  a dark  cloud,  and  when  the  moon 
appeared  again,  she  was  out  of  sight. 

The  young  Count,  however,  made  haste  down  from  the 
tree  and  pursued  the  Maiden  with  hasty  strides ; but  before 
he  had  gone  very  far,  he  perceived  two  figures  wandering 
over  the  meadows  in  the  twilight.  They  were  the  King 
and  Queen,  who  had  perceived  at  a distance  the  light  in 
the  old  Woman’s  cottage  and  were  hastening  towards  it. 
The  Count  told  them  what  marvellous  things  he  had  wit- 
nessed by  the  brook,  and  they  felt  no  doubt  but  that  he  had 
seen  their  lost  daughter.  Full  of  joy  they  journeyed  on 
till  they  came  to  the  cottage,  around  which  lay  the  geese, 
with  their  heads  under  their  wings,  and  none  stirred  at 
their  approach.  The  three  peeped  in  at  the  window  and 
saw  the  old  Woman  spinning  silently,  without  raising  her 
eyes  from  her  work,  but  simply  nodding  her  head  now  and 
then.  The  room  was  as  perfectly  clean  as  if  it  had  been 
inhabited  by  the  Cloud-Men,  who  carry  no  dust  on  their 
feet;  and  for  some  minutes  they  observed  the  whole  scene 
in  silence ; but  at  last  plucking  up  courage  they  knocked 
at  the  window  lightly.  Thereupon  the  old  Woman  got  up, 
and  looking  at  them  kindly  as  if  she  had  expected  them, 
called  out,  “ Come  in  ; I know  who  you  are.” 

As  soon  as  the  King,  Queen,  and  Count  had  entered  the 
room  the  old  Woman  said,  “You  might  have  spared  your- 
selves this  long  journey  if  you  had  not  driven  out,  for  three 
long  years  in  the  forest,  your  child  who  was  so  affectionate 
and  so  beautiful.  She  has  come  to  no  harm,  and  for  these 
three  years  past  she  has  tended  my  geese ; neither  has  she 
learnt  any  evil,  but  kept  her  heart  pure  and  spotless.  But 
you  have  been  righteously  punished  by  the  sorrow  and 
trouble  which  you  have  suffered.”  With  these  words  she 


The  Goose-Girl  at  the  Well. 


339 


went  to  the  chamber-door  and  called  to  the  daughter  to 
come  out,  and  as  soon  as  the  Princess  made  her  appearance, 
dressed  in  her  silk  gown,  with  her  golden  hair  and  bright 
eyes,  it  seemed  like  the  entrance  of  an  angel  into  the  room. 

She  went  up  to  her  father  and  mother  and  fell  on  their 
necks  and  kissed  them,  which  made  them  both  cry  with 
joy.  But  when  she  perceived  the  young  Count  standing 
by  them,  she  blushed  as  red  as  a moss  rose  without  know- 
ing wherefore. 

“ My  dear  child,”  said  the  King  to  her,  “ what  shall  I 
give  you, -for  I have  parted  my  kingdom  already?” 

“She  needs  nothing,”  said  the  old  Woman,  “for  I 
present  her  with  the  tears  which  she  has  wept,  which  are 
in  reality  pearls  more  beautiful  than  any  that  can  be  found 
in  the  sea,  and  of  more  value  than  your  entire  kingdom. 
And  for  a further  reward  for  her  services  to  me  I give  her 
this  house.”  As  soon  as  the  old  Woman  had  said  these 
words  she  disappeared,  and  immediately  after  a little  knock- 
ing at  the  walls,  the  house  became  a noble  palace,  and  the 
room  in  which  they  stood  a.  hall,  in  the  midst  of  which  a 
princely  table  was  set  out,  with  many  servants  hastening 
to  and  fro. 

This  story  ends  here,  for  my  grandmother,  who  related 
it  to  me,  had  partly  lost  her  memory,  and  so  she  had  for- 
gotten its  conclusion.  I believe,  however,  that  the  beauti- 
ful Princess  was  married  to  the  young  Count,  and  that  they 
remained  in  the  palace,  and  lived  happily  so  long  as  God 
suffered  them  to  remain  on  earth.  But  whether  the  snow- 
white  geese  whom  the  Princess  had  tended  were  really  men 
(nobody  needs  to  be  offended!,  whom  the  old  Woman  had 
taken  to  herself,  and  then- restored  to  their  natural  form  to 
wait  as  servants  upon  the  young  Queen,  I cannot  say,  though 
I suspect  it  was  so.  Thus  much  is  certain,  that  the  Old 
Woman  was  no  witch  as  people  believed,  but  a wise  woman, 
who  had  good  intentions.  Apparently,  too,  it  was  she  who 


340 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


at  the  birth  of  the  Princess  had  endowed  her  with  the  power 
to  weep  pearls  instead  of  tears. 

At  this  day,  however,  that  does  not  happen,  else  would 
the  poor  soon  become  rich  ! 


CLXXVI. 


The  Nail. 


A TRADESMAN  had  once  transacted  a good  day’s  busi- 
ness at  a fair,  disposed  of  all  his  goods,  and  filled  his 
purse  with  gold  and  silver.  He  prepared  afterwards  to 
return,  in  order  to  reach  home  before  the  evening.  So  he 
strapped  his  portmanteau,  with  the  money  in  it,  upon  his 
horse’s  back,  and  rode  off.  At  noon  he  baited  in  a small 
town,  and  as  he  was  about  to  set  out  again,  the  Stable-boy 
who  brought  his  horse  said  to  him,  “Sir,  a nail  is  wanting 
in  the  shoe  on  the  left  hind-foot  of  your  animal.” 

“ Let  it  be  wanting,”  replied  the  Tradesman  ; “ I am  in 
a hurry,  and  the  iron  will  doubtless  hold  the  six  hours'  I 
have  yet  to  travel.” 

Late  in  the  afternoon  he  had  to  dismount  again,  and 
feed  his  horse,  and  at  this  place  also  the  Boy  came  and  told 
him  that  a nail  was  wanting  in  one  of  the  shoes,  and  asked 
him  whether  he  should  take  the  horse  to  a farrier.  “ No, 
no,  let  it  be!”  replied  the  Master;  “it  will  last  out  the 
couple  of  hours  that  I have  now  to  travel ; I am  in  haste.” 
So  saying  he  rode  off ; but  his  horse  soon  began  to  limp, 
and  from  limping  it  came  to  stumbling,  and  presently  the 
beast  fell  down  and  broke  its  leg.  Thereupon  the  Trades- 
man had  .to  leave  his  horse  lying  on  the  road,  to  unbuckle 
the  portmanteau,  and  to  walk  home  with  it  upon  his  shoul- 
der, where  he  arrived  at  last  late  at  night.” 

“ And  all  this  misfortune,”  said  he  to  himself,  “is  owing 
to  the  want  of  a nail.  More  haste  the  less  speed  !” 


CLXXVII. 


The  Poor  Boy  in  the  Grave. 


SPHERE  was  once  upon  a time  a poor  Lad,  whose  father 
and  mother  were  dead,  so  the  Magistrate  placed  him 
in  the  house  of  a rich  Farmer  to  be  fed  and  brought  up. 
But  this  Man  and  his  Wife  too  had  very  bad  dispositions; 
and  with  all  their  wealth,  they  were  avaricious  and  mean, 
and  very  angry  when  any  one  took  any  of  their  bread.  So 
the  poor  Boy,  do  what  he  might,  received  little  to  eat  and 
many  blows. 

One  day  he  was  set  to  watch  the  hen  and  her  chickens, 
and  she  ran  through  a hole  in  the  paling,  and  a hawk  just 
then  flying  by  pounced  upon  her  and  carried  her  off  to  his 
roost.  The  Boy  cried,  “Thief,  thief!  stop,  thief!”  but  to 
what  end  ? the  hawk  kept  his  prey,  and  did  not  return. 
The  Master  hearing  the  noise  came  out,  and  perceived  that 
his  hen  was  gone,  which  put  him  in  such  a rage  that  he 
beat  the  Boy  so  much  that  for  a couple  of  days  afterwards 
he  was  unable  to  stir.  Then  the  poor  Lad  had  to  watch 
the  chickens,  which  was  a harder  task  still,  for  where  one 
ran  the  others  followed.  At  last,  thinking  to  make  it  sure, 
he  tied  all  the  chickens  together  by  a string,  so  that  the 
hawk  could  not  take  one.  But  what  followed?  After  a 
couple  of  days  he  fell  asleep  from  weariness  with  watching 
and  with  huno-er,  and  then  the  hawk  came  and  seized  one 
of  the  chickens,  and,  because  all  the  others  were  tied  together 
to  that  one,  he  bore  them  all  away  and  devoured  them. 
Just  then  the  Farmer  came  home,  and  perceived  the  mis- 
fortune which  had  happened,  which  angered  him  so  much 
that  he  beat  the  Lad  so  unmercifully  that  for  several  days 
he  could  not  leave  his  bed. 


The  Poor  Boy  ih  the  Grave.  343 

When  he  was  on  his  legs  again,  the  Farmer  said  to  him, 
“You  are  so  stupid  that  I can  no  longer  keep  you  as  a 
watch,  and  therefore  you  shall  be  my  errand-boy.”  So 
saying  he  sent  him  to  the  Judge,  to  take  him  a basket  of 
grapes,  and  a letter  with  them.  On  the  way  hunger  and 
thirst  plagued  the  Lad  so  much  that  he  ate  two  of  the  grape- 
bunches.  So  when  he  took  the  basket  to  the  Judge,  and 
the  latter  had  read  the  letter  and  counted  the  grapes,  he 
said,  “ Two  bunches  are  missing.”  The  Boy  then  honestly 
confessed  that,  driven  by  hunger  and  thirst,  he  had  eaten 
two  bunches ; wherefore  the  Judge  wrote  a letter  to  the 
Farmer,  and  requested  more  grapes.  These,  also,  the  Boy 
had  to  carry,  with  a letter ; and  again,  urged  by  great  hun- 
ger and  thirst,  he  devoured  two  bunches  more.  But  be- 
fore he  went  to  the  Judge  ho  took  the  letter  out  of  the 
basket,  and  laying  it  under  a stone  put  the  §tone  over  it, 
so  that  it  could  not  be  seen  and  betray  him.  The  Judge, 
however,  taxed  him  with  the  missing  grapes.  “Alas!” 
cried  the  Boy,  “ how  did  you  know  that?  the  letter  could 
not  tell  you,  for  I had  laid  it  previously  under  a stone.” 
The  Judge  was  forced  to  laugh  at  the  simplicity  of  the  Lad, 
but  sent  the  Farmer  a letter,  in  which  he  advised  him  to 
treat  the  Boy  better,  and  not  to  allow  him  to  want  meat  or 
drink,  or  he  might  be  taught  the  difference  between  justice 
and  injustice. 

“I  will  show  you  the  difference  at  once!”  said  the  hard- 
hearted Farmer,  when  he  had  read  the  letter  ; “if  you  will 
eat,  you  must  also  work  ; and  if  you  do  anything  wrong, 
you  must  be  recompensed  with  blows.” 

The  following  day  he  set  the  poor  Boy  a hard  task, 
which  was  to  cut  a couple  of  bundles  of  straw  for  fodder 
for  the  horse.  “ And,”  said  the  Master  in  a threatening 
tone,  “ I shall  be  back  in  five  hours,  and  if  the  straw  is  not 
cut  to  chaff  by  that  time,  I will  beat  you  till  you  cannot 
stir  a limb.” 


344 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


With  this  speech  the  Farmer  went  to  market  ivith  hi3 
Wife  and  servant,  and  left  nothing  behind  for  the  Boy  hut 
a small  piece  of  bread.  He  sat  down  at  the  machine,  and 
began  to  cut  the  straw  with  all  his  strength,  and  as  he  be- 
came hot  he  drew  off  his  coat  and  threw  it  aside  on  the 
straw.  Then,  in  his  terror  lest  he  should  not  get  done  in 
time,  he  caught  up,  without  noticing  it,  his  own  coat  with 
a heap  of  straw,  and  cut  it  all  to  shreds.  Too  late  he 
became  aware  of  this  misfortune,  which  he  could  not  repair, 
and  cried  out,  “ Alas!  now  it  is  all  up  with  me.  The  bad 
Master  has  not  threatened  in  vain;  when  he  comes  back 
and  sees  what  I have  done,  he  will  beat  me  to  death.  I 
would  rather  he  took  my  life  at  once.” 

Now  the  Boy  had  once  heard  the  Farmer’s  Wife  say 
that  she  had  set  a jar  of  poison  under  her  bed,  but  she  had 
only  said  so^to  keep  away  the  sweet-tooths,  for,  in  fact,  it 
contained  honey.  The  Boy,  however,  drew  it  out  and  ate 
the  contents,  and  when  he  had  done  so,  he  thought  to  him- 
self, “ Ah  ! people  have  told  me  that  death  is  bitter,  but  it 
tastes  sweetly  to  me  ! No  wonder  that  the  mistress  should 
so  often  wish  for  death.”  So  thinking,  he  sat  down  on  a 
stool  to  die  ; but  instead  of  growing  weaker,  he  felt  really 
strengthened  by  the  nourishing  food.  Soon  he  began  to 
think,  “ This  can  be  no  poison,  but  I recollect  the  Farmer 
once  said  that  in  his  clothes-chest  was  a bottle  of  fly  poison, 
which  will  certainly  kill  me.”  But  this,  also,  was  no  poison, 
but  Hungary  wine.  The  Boy,  however,  fetched  the  bottle 
and  drank  it  out,  saying,  “ This  death  also  tastes  sweetly!” 
Soon  the  wine  began  to  mount  into  his  head,  and  to  stupify 
him,  so  that  he  thought  his  death  really  was  at  hand.  “ I 
feel  that  I must  die,”  he  said ; “ I will  go  to  the  church- 
yard and  seek  a grave.”  He  reeled  out  of  doors  as  he 
spoke,  and  managed  to  reach  the  churchyard,  where  he 
dropped  into  a fresh-opened  grave,  and  at  the  same  time 
lost  all  consciousness.  Never  again  in  this  world  did  the 


The  Poor  Boy  in  the  Grave. 


345 


poor  Boy  awake.  The  fumes  of  the  hot  wine,  acted  upon 
by  the  cold  dews  of  evening,  took  away  his  life,  and  he  re- 
mained in  the  grave  wherein  he  had  laid  himself. 

By-and-by,  when  the  Farmer  received  the  news  of  the 
death  of  his  servant,  he  was  frightened,  because  he  feared 
he  might  be  taken  before  the  Judge,  and  his  terror  was  so 
great  that  he  fell  to  the  earth  in  a swoon.  His  Wife,  who 
was  turning  some  butter  in  a pan  over  the  fire,  ran  to  his 
assistance,  and  in  a moment  the  grease  caught  fire  and  soon 
communicated  with  the  whole  house,  which  was  burnt  to 
ashes  in  a few  hours. 

Then  the  years  during  which  the  Farmer  and  his  Wife 
lived  afterwards  were  spent  by  them  in  misery  and  poverty. 


VOL.  II.— =-15* 


CLXXVIII. 


The  True  Bride. 


NCE  upon  a time  there  lived  a Girl,  young  and  pretty, 


who  lost  her  Mother  at  an  early  age,  and  her  Step- 
mother behaved  very  cruelly  to  her.  Although  she  some- 
times had  to  do  work  beyond  her  years,  she  was  left  to 
herself,  and  forced  to  do,  unpitied,  more  than  her  strength 
would  allow.  She  could  not  by  any  means  touch  the 
heart  of  the  wicked  woman,  who  was  always  discontented 
and  unsatisfied.  The  more  industriously  she  worked  the 
more  was  laid  upon  her,  and  the  Stepmother  was  always 
contriving  how  to  inflict  an  additional  burden,  and  make 
her  daughter’s  life  more  intolerable. 

One  day  the  Stepmother  said  to  the  Girl,  “ Here  are 
twelve  pounds  of  quills  for  you  to  strip,  and  remember  if 
you  are  not  ready  with  them  by  this  evening  you  will  get 
a good  beating.  Do  you  think  you  are  to  idle  all  day  ?” 
The  poor  Girl  set  to  work,  while  the  tears  rolled  fast  down 
her  cheeks,  for  she  saw  that  it  rvas  impossible  to  finish  her 
work  by  the  time.  Every  now  and  then,  as  the  heap  of 
feathers  before  her  increased,  she  sighed  and  clasped  her 
hands,  and  then  recollecting  herself,  stripped  the  quills 
quicker  than  before.  Once  she  put  her  elbows  on  the  table, 
and  burying  her  face  in  her  hands,  exclaimed,  “ Alas!  then, 
is  there  nobody  on  earth  who  will  pity  me  ?”  As  she  spoke 
she  heard  a soft  voice  reply,  “ Comfort  yourself,  my  child; 
I am  come  to  help- you.”  The  Girl  looked  up  and  saw  an 
Old  Woman  standing  by  her  side,  who  took  her  hand,  and 
said  to  her,  “ Trust  me  and  tell  me  what  are  your  troubles.” 
Encouraged  by  her  kind  voice,  the  Girl  told  the  Old 
Woman  of  her  sad  life,  how  one  burden  was  heaped  upon 


The  Tkue  Bride. 


347 


another  until  she  could  make  no  end  even  with  the  most 
unremitting  labour.  She  told  her  also  of  the  beating 
promised  by  her  Stepmother  if  she  did  not  finish  the 
feathers  that  evening.  Her  tears  began  to  flow  again  as 
she  concluded  her  tale,  but  the  Old  Woman  said  to  her. 
“Dry  your  tears  and  rest  yourself  while  I go  on  with  your 
work.”  The  Girl  lay  down  upon  a bed  and  went  to  sleep ; 
and  the  Old  Woman  sat  down  at  the  table,  and  made  such 
short  work  with  her  thin  fingers  that  the  twelve  pounds  of 
feathers  were  soon  ready.  When  the  Girl  awoke  she  found 
a great  heap  of  snow-white  feathers  before  her,  and  every- 
thing in  the  room  put  in«order,  but  the  Old  Woman  had 
disappeared.  So  the  Girl  thanked  God,  and  waited  till 
evening,  when,  the  Stepmother  coming  into  the  room,  was 
astonished  to  see  the  work  finished.  “ Do  you  not  see, 
simpleton,”  she  cried,  “ what  one  can  do  when  one  is  in- 
dustrious? But  was  there  nothing  else  that  you  could 
have  begun,  instead  of  sitting  there  with  your  hands  in 
your  lap  ?”  and  she  went  out  muttering,  “ The  Girl  can  eat 
more  than  bread  ; I must  set  her  some  harder  job.” 

The  next  morning,  accordingly,  she  called  the  Girl  and 
gave  her  a spoon,  saying,  “ Take  this  and  empty  the  pond 
at  the  bottom  of  the  garden  with  it,  and  mind  you  know 
what  will  follow  if  you  have  not  finished  by  the  evening.” 
The  Girl  took  the  spoon  and  perceived  that  it  had  a hole 
in  it,  and  even  if  there  had  not  been  she  never  could  have 
emptied  the  pond  in  time.  However  she  fell  on  her  knees 
by  the  side  of  the  water  and  began  to  scoop  it  out.  Soon 
the  Old  Woman  appeared  again,  and  as  soon  as  she  heard 
the  cause  of  the  Girl’s  grief,  she  said  to  her,  “Well,  never 
mind ; do  you  go  and  lie  down  in  yon  thicket,  and  let  me 
do  your  work.”  The  Girl  did  as  she  was  bid,  and  the  good 
Old  Woman,  when  she  was  alone,  only  touched  the  pond 
and  immediately  all  the  water  ascended  in  the  form  of  va- 
pour and  mingled  with  the  clouds.  The  pond  was  then 


348  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

completely  dry,  and  when  the  sun  set,  the  Girl  awoke,  and 
saw  nothing  but  the  fishes  skipping  about  in  the  mud.  So 
she  went  and  told  her  Stepmother  she  had  done  her  work. 
“You  ought  to  have  been  ready  long  ago,”  said  she,  pale 
with  rage,  and  turned  aw>ay  to  think  of  some  fresh  device. 

The  next  morning  she  said  to  the  Girl,  “You  must 
build  me  a fine  palace  in  yon  plain,  and  get  it  ready  by 
the  evening.”  The  poor  Maiden  was  terrified  when'  she 
heard  this,  and  asked,  “ How  can  I possibly  complete  such 
a work?”  “I  will  take  no  refusal,”  screamed  the  Step- 
mother ; “ if  you  can  empty  a pond  with  a spoon  with  a 
hole  in  it,  you  can  also  build  ^palace.  And  I require  it 
done  to-day,  and  should  it  be  wanting  in  one  kitchen  or 
cellar  you  will  catch  what  you  well  deserve.” 

So  saying,  she  drove  the  Girl  out  of  doors,  who  went 
on  till  she  came  to  the  valley  where  the  stones  lay  piled 
np ; but  they  were  all  so  heavy  that  she  could  not  move 
the  very  smallest  of  them.  The  poor  Maiden  sat  down 
and  cried,  but  hoped  still  the  good  Old  Woman  wrould 
come  to  her  assistance.  In  a short  time  she  did  make  her 
appearance,  and  bade  the  Maiden  go  and  s^eep  in  the  shade 
while  she  erected  the  castle  for  her,  in  which  she  told  her 
she  might  dwell  when  she  was  happy.  As  soon  as  the  Old 
Woman  was  alone  she  touched  the  stones,  and  immediately 
they  raised  themselves  and  formed  the  walls  as  if  giants 
were  building.  Then  the  scaffolding  raised  itself,  and  it 
seemed  as  if  countless  hands  "were  laying  stone  upon  stone. 
The  tiles  were  laid  on  in  order  on  the  roofs  by  invisible 
hands,  and  by  noonday  a large  weathercock,  in  the  shape 
of  a figure  with  a turning  wand,  appeared  on  the  summit 
of  the  tower.  The  interior  of  the  castle  was  also  com- 
pleted by  the  evening, — how  the  Old  Woman  did  it  I 
know  not, — but  the  walls  of  the  various  rooms  were  hung 
with  silk  and  velvet,  and  highly  ornamented  chairs  were 
also  placed  in  them,  and  richly  carved  armchairs  by  marble 


The  True  Bride. 


349 


tables,  while  crystal  chandeliers  hung  in  the  halls,  and 
mirrored  themselves  in  the  smooth  walls;  green  parrots 
also  were  there  in  golden  cages,  and  many  other  peculiar 
birds,  which  sang  charmingly;  and  about  everything  there 
was  a magnificence  as  if  a king  were  to  inhabit  the  palace. 

The  sun  was  just  about  to  sink  when  the  Maiden  awoke 
and  perceived  the  light  of  a thousand  lamps  shining  from 
the'  castle.  With  hasty  steps  she  entered  it  through  the 
open  door,  passing  up  a flight  of  steps  covered  with  red 
cloth,  and  adorned  with  flowers  on  the  gilt  balustrade. 
As  soon  as  she  entered  the  room  and  saw  its  magnificence 
she  stood  aghast,  and  how  long  she  might  have  remained 
so  I know  not,  had  she'  not  thought  of  her  Stepmother. 
“Ah!”  said  she  to  herself,  “perhaps  if  she  were  established 
here  she  would  be  contented,  and  harass  me  no  more.” 
With  this  thought  she  ran  to  her  Stepmother  and  pointed 
to  the  finished  palace.  “ I will  go  and  see  it,”  said  she,  and 
hastened  off;  but  as- soon  as  she  entered  the  hall  she  was 
forced  to  cover  her  eyes  for  fear  of  being  blinded  by  the 
glare  of  the  lamps. 

“You  see,  now,”  she  said  to  the  Maiden,  “how  easily 
it  is  done ; I wish  I had  set  you  something  harder  to  do !” 
and  then,  going  into  every  room,  she  peered  about  in  all 
corners  to  find  out  something  that  was  wanting,  but  she 
could  not.  “Now  we  will  go  up  stairs,”  said  she  with  an 
envious  look  at  the  Maiden ; “ I must  also  inspect  the 
kitchens  and  cellars,  and  if  there  is  anything  forgotten  you 
shall  suffer  for  it.”  There  was  the  fire,  however,  burning 
on  the  hearth,  the  meat  cooking  in  the  pots,  nippers  and 
scales  hanging  on  the  wall,  and  the  bright  copper  utensils 
ranged  in  rows.  Nothing  was  wanting,  not  even  the  coal- 
scuttle or  the  water-pails ! “ Where  is  the  door  to  the 

cellar?”  exclaimed  the  Old  Woman,  after  she  had  looked 
all  round.  “ I warn  you ; you  will  catch  it,  if  it  is  not 
well  filled  with  wine-casks !”  So  saying,  she  raised  the 


350 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


trap-door  herself  and  went  down  the  steps,  but,  before  she 
had  got  down  very  far  the  heavy  door  fell  upon  her.  The 
Maiden  heard  a cry,  and  raised  the  door  up  as  quickly  as 
she  could  to  render  assistance,  but  before  she  reached  the 
bottom  of  the  stairs  she  found  the  Old  Woman  lying  dead 
upon  them.  The  noble  castle  belonged  now  to  the  Maiden, 
who  dwelt  there  all  alone,  and  felt  quite  bewildered  with  her 
good  fortune.  For  in  every  closet  the  most  beautiful 
dresses  were  hung  upon  'the  walls,  with  their  trains  pow- 
dered with  gold  and  silver,  or  with  pearls  and  precious 
stones ; and,  moreover,  she  had  not  a wish  which  was  not 
immediately  fulfilled.  Soon  the  fame  of  her  beauty  and 
riches  went  abroad  through  the  whole  world,  and  every 
day  suitors  introduced  themselves  to  her  presence,  but 
none  of  them  pleased  her.  At  length,  however,  came 
a young  Prince,  who  touched  her  heart,  and  to  whom 
she  betrothed  herself.  How,  in  the  castle  garden  stood  a 
green  linden  tree,  under  which  they  were  one  day  sitting 
engaged  in  conversation.  “I  will  go  home  and  obtain  my 
father’s  consent  to  our  marriage,”  said  the  young  Prince  to 
his  companion  ; “ wait  here  for  me  under  this  tree,  for  I 
shall  be  back  in  a few  hours.”  The  Maiden  kissed  him 
first  on  his  left  cheek,  and  said,  “ Keep  true  to  me,  and  let 
nobody  kiss  you  on  this  cheek,  till  you  return.  I will 
wait  for  you  here.” 

So  she  remained  under  thfe  tree  until  the  sun  went 
down,  but  the  Prince  did  not  return ; and,  although  she 
waited  three  days  afterwards,  from  morning  till  evening, 
he  came  not.  When  the  fourth  day  passed  with  the  same 
result,  the  Maiden  thought  that  some  misfortune  had  fallen 
upon  him,  and  she  resolved  to  go  out  and  search  for  him 
till  she  found  him.  So  she  packed  up  three  of  her  most 
beautiful  dresses:  the  one  powdered  with  stars  of  gold,  the 
second  with  silver  moons,  and  the  third  with  golden  suns; 
she  took  also  a handful  of  jewels  in  a handkerchief  and, 


The  True  Bride. 


351 


thus  furnished,  began  her  travels.  At  every  place  she 
came  to  she  inquired  after  her  betrothed  lover,  but  nobody 
had  seen  him  or  knew  him.  So  she  wandered  on,  far  and 
wide  over  the  world,  but  with  no  result,  and  at  last,  in 
despair,  she  hired  herself  to  a farmer  as  a Shepherdess, 
and  concealed  her  clothes  and  jewels  under  a stone. 

Thus  she  lived  for  a couple  of  years  tending  her  flocks 
in  sadness,  and  ever  thinking  of  her  beloved  Prince.  At 
this  time  she  possessed  a calf  which  would  feed  out  of  her 
hands,  and  if  she  said  to  it  the  following  rhyme  it  would 
kneel  down  while  she  stroked  it : 

“ Little  calf,  little  calf,  kneel  you  down, 

Forget  not  your  Mistress,  deary ! 

Like  the  King’s  son  who  his  sweetheart  left 
Under  the  linden,  dreary.” 

"When  two  years  had  passed,  a report  was  spre.ad  every- 
where, that  the  King’s  daughter  was  about  to  be  married. 
Now,  the  road  to  the  city  passed  through  the  village  where' 
the  Maiden  dwelt,  and  so  it  happened  that  one  day,  as  she 
was  watching  her  flocks,  the  Bridegroom  of  the  Princess 
passed  by.  lie  was  sitting  proudly  upon  his  horse  and 
did  not  observe  the  Shepherdess,  who  recognised  him  at 
once  as  her  former  lover.  The  shock  was,  as  it  were,  like 
a sharp  knife  thrust  into  her  heart.  “ Alas!”  she  cried,  “I 
thought  he  was  true  to  me,  but  he  has,  indeed,  forgotten 
me.” 

The  next  day  he  rode  by  her  again : as  he  passed  she 
sung — 

“ Little  calf,  little  calf,  kneel  you  down — 

Forget  not  your  Mistress,  deary ! 

Like  the  King’s  son  who  his  sweetheart  left 
Under  the  linden,  dreary.” 

The  Prince  looked  round  when  he  heard  the  voice,  and 
stopped  his  horse.  He  looked  earnestly  at  the  face  of  the 
Shepherdess,  and  pressed  his  hand  to  his  forehead  as  if 


352  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

trying  to  recollect  something ; but  in  a minute  or  two,  he 
rode  on  and  disappeared.  “ Alas ! alas !”  cried  the  Maiden, 
“he  knows  me  no  longer  !” 

Soon  after  this  occurrence,  a great  festival  of  three  days’ 
duration  was  appointed  to  be  held  at  the  royal  court,  and 
all  the  King’s  subjects  were  invited  to  it.  “ How  I will 
make  a last  trial,”  thought  the  Maiden ; and  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  first  day,  she  went  to  the  stone  under  which  she 
had  buried  her  treasures.  She  drew  out  the  dress  adorned 
with  the  golden  suns,  and,  putting  it  on,  bedecked  herself 
•also  with  the  jewels.  Her  hair,  which  till  now  she  had 
hidden,  under  a cap,  she  allowed  to  fall  down  in  its  natural 
curls,  and,  thus  apparelled,  she  went  to  the  city  unper- 
ceived in  the  dusky  twilight.  As  soon,  however,  as  she 
entered  the  well  lighted  ball-room  all  were  struck  with  her 
beauty,  but  nobody  knew  who  she  was.  The  Prince  went 
up  to  her  but  did  not'recognise  her ; and  after  he  had  danced 
.with  her,  her  manners  so  enchanted  him  that  he  altogether 
slighted  the  other  bride.  As  soon  as  the  ball  was  over,  she 
disappeared  in  the  crowd,  and,  hastening  back  to  the  vil- 
lage, put  on  her  shepherd’s  dress  before  the  day  broke. 

The  second  evening  she  took  out  the  dress  with  the  sil- 
ver moons,  and  adorned  her  hair  with  a crescent  of  precious 
stones.  As  soon  as  she  appeared  in  the  ball-room  all  eyes 
were  turned  on  her,  and  the  Prince,  intoxicated  with  love, 
danced  with  her  alone,  quite  forgetful  of  any  other  person. 
Before  she  went  away  he-rnade  her  promise  to  come  again 
on  the  following  evening. 

When  she  thus  appeared  for  the  third  time,  she  wore 
her  star  dress,  which  glittered  with  every  step  she  took, 
not  to  mention  her  girdle  and  head-dress,  which  were  stars 
of  diamonds.  The  Prince  took  her  arm  as  soon  as  she 
entered  the  room,  and  asked  who  she  was,  “ for,”  said  he, 
“ it  seems  to  me  as  if  I had  known  you  before.” 

“ Have  you  forgotten  what  I did  when  you  parted  from 


The  True  Bride. 


353 


me  ?”  asked  the  Maiden,  at  the  same  time  kissing  him  on 
his  left  cheek.  As  soon  as  she  did  this,  a mist,  as  it  were, 
fell  from  his  eyes,  and  he  recognised  his  true  Bride.  “ Come,” 
he  said,  “I  must  remain  here  no  longer;”  and  taking  her 
by  the  hand  he  led  her  out  to  his  carriage.  As  if  the  wind 
were  pulling,  the  horses  galloped  to  the  wonderful  castle, 
whose  windows  were  already  lighted  up,  and  shone  to  a 
long  distance.  As  the  carriage  passed  beneath  the  linden- 
tree  innumerable  glow-worms  swarmed  among  the  boughs, 
so  that  the  leaves  were  shaken  and  sent  down  their  frag- 
rance. On  the  castle  steps  bloomed  the  flowers,  and  from 
the  aviaries  came  the  songs  of  many  rare  birds  ! but  in  the 
hall  the  whole  court  stood  assembled,  and  the  priests  to 
celebrate  the  marriage  of  the  young  Prince  and  the  True 
Bride. 


CLXXIX. 


The  Hare  and  the  Hed^-elioo;. 

CJ  o 


HIS  tale,  my  young  readers, ’will  seem  to  you  to  be 


quite  false ; but  still  it  must  be  true,  for  my  Grand- 
father, who  used  to  tell  it  to  me,  would  wind  up  by  saying, 
“ All  this  is  true,  my  son,  else  it  would  never  have  been 
told  to  me  !”  The  tale  runs  thus  : — 

It  was  a fine  summer’s  morning  just  before  harvest- 
time ; the  buck-wheat  was  in  flower,  and  the  sun  was  shi- 
ning brightly  in  the  heaven  above;  a breeze  was  blowing 
over  the  fields,  where  the  larks  were  singing ; and  along  the 
paths  the  people  were  going  to  church  dressed  in  their  best. 
Every  creature  seemed  contented,  even  the  Hedgehog,  who 
stood  before  his  door  singing  as  he  best  could  a joyful  song 
in  praise  of  the  fine  morning.  In-doors,  meanwhile,  his 
Wife  was  washing' and  drying  the  kitchen,  before  going 
into  the  fields  for  a walk  to  see  how  the  crops  were  getting 
on.  She  was  such  a long  while,  however,  about  her  work, 
that  Mr.  Hedgehog  would  wait  no  longer,  and  trotted  off 
by  himself.  He  had  not  walked  any  very  long  distance 
before  he  came  to  a small  thicket,  near  a field  of  cabbages; 
and  there  he  espied  a Hare,  who  he  guessed  had  come  on  a 
similar  errand  to  himself  ; namely,  to  devour  a few  fine 
heads.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Hedgehog  saw  the  Hare  he  wished 
him  a good  morning ; but  the  latter,  who  was  in  his  way 
a high-minded  creature,  turned  a very  fierce  and  haughty 
look  upon  the  Hedgehog,  and  made  no  reply  to  his  greet- 
ing. He  asked,  instead,  in  a very  majestic  tone,  how  he 
came  to  be  walking  abroad  at  such  an  early  hour.  “ I am 
taking  a walk,”  replied  the  Hedgehog.  “A  walk!”  re- 


The  Hare  and  the  Hedgehog. 


355 


peated  the  Hare  in  an  ironical  tone,  “ methinks  you  might 
employ  your  legs  about  something  better !” 

This  answer  vexed  the  Hedgehog  most  dreadfully,  for 
he  could  have  borne  anything  better  than  to  be  quizzed 
about  his  legs,  because  they  were  naturally  short  and  from 
no  fault  of  his  own.  However,  he  said  to  the  Hare,  “ Well, 
you  need  not  be  so  proud ; pray  what  can  you  do  with 
those  legs  of  yours?”  '“That  is  my  affair,”  replied  the 
Hare.  “ I expect,  if  you  would  venture  a trial,  that  I 
should  beat  you  in  a race,”  said  the  Hedgehog. 

“You  are  laughing!  you,  with  your  short  legs!”  said 
the  Hare  contemptuously.  “But  still,  since  you  have  such 
a particular  wish,  I have  no  objection  to  try.  What  shall 
the  wager  be?” 

“ A gold  louis-d’or  and  a bottle  of  brandy,”  replied  the 
Hedgehog. 

“Done!”  said  the  Hare,  “and  it  may  as  well  come  off 
at  once.” 

“Ho!  not  in  such  great  haste  if  you  please,”  said  the 
Hedgehog ; “ I am  not  quite  ready  yet ; I must  first  go 
home  and  freshen  up  a bit.  Within  half-an-hour  I will 
return  to  this  place.” 

Thereupon  the  Hedgehog  hurried  off,  leaving  the  Hare 
very  merry.  On  his  way  home,  the  former  thought  to 
himself,  “ Mr.  Hare  is  very  haughty  and  highminded,  but 
withal  he  is  very  stupid ; and  although  he  thinks  to  beat 
me  with  his  long  legs,  I will  find  a way  to  defeat  him.” 
So,  as  soon  as  the  Hedgehog  reached  home,  he  told  his 
Wife  to  dress  herself  at  once  to  go  into  the  field  with 
him. 

“ What  is  the  matter  ?”  asked  his  Wife. 

“ I have  made  a wager  with  the  Hare,  for  a louis-d’or 
and  a bottle  of  brandy,  to  run  a race  with  him,  and  you 
must  be  witness.” 

“ My  goodness,  man ! are  you  in  your  senses  ?”  said 


356 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


the  Wife;  “ do  you  know  what  you  are  about.  How  can 
you  expect  to  run  as  fast  as  the  Hare  ?” 

“ Hold  your  tongue,  Wife!  that  is  my  affair.  Don’t 
you  reason  about  men’s  business.  March,  and  get  ready  to 
come  with  me.” 

As  soon  then  as  the  Hedgehog’s  Wife  was  ready  they 
set  out  together;  and  on  the  way#he  said,  “Now  attend  to 
what  I say.  On  the  long  field  yonder,  we  shall  decide  our 
bet.  The  Hare  is  to  run  on  one  side  of  the  hedge  and  I 
on  the  other,  and  so  all  you  have  to  do  is  to  stop  at  one 
end  of  the  hedge,  and  then  when  the  Hare  arrives  on  the 
other  .side  at  the  same  point,  you  must  call  out,  ‘ I am 
here  already.’  ” 

They  soon  came  to  the  fields  and  the  Hedgehog  sta- 
tioned himself  at  one  end  of  the  hedge,  and  his  Wife  at 
the  other  end ; and  as  soon  as  they  had  taken  their  places 
the  Hare  arrived.  “ Are  you  ready  to  start  ?”  asked  the 
Hare.  “Yes,”  answered  the  Hedgehog,  and  each  took  his 
place.  “ Off  once,  off  twice,  three  times  and  off!”  cried  the 
Hare,  and  ran  up  the  field  like  a whirlwind;  while  the 
Hedgehog  only  took  three  steps  and  then  returned  to  his 
place. 

The  Hare  soon  arrived  at  his  goal  as  he  ran  all  the  way 
at  top-speed  ; but  before  he  could  reach  it,  the  Hedgehog’s 
Wife  on  the  other  side  called  out,  “ I am  here  alread}' !” 
The  Hare  was  thunderstruck  to  hear  this  said,  for  he 
thought  it  was  really  his  opponent,  since  there  was  no 
difference  in  the  appearance  of  the  Hedgehog  and  his  Wife. 
“This  will  not  do!”  thought  the  Hare  to  himself;  but 
presently  he  called  out,  “ Once,  twice,  and  off  again  ;”  and 
away  he  went  as  fast  as  possible,  leaving  the  Hedgehog 
quietly  sitting  in  her  place.  “ I am  here  before  you,”  cried 
Mr.  Hedgehog  as  soon  as  the  Hare  approached.  “What! 
again?”  exclaimed  the  Hare  in  a rage;  and  added,  “Will 
you  dare  another  trial.”  “Oh!  as  many  as  you  like;  do 


The  Hare  and  the  Hedgehog. 


357 


not  be  afraid  on  mj  account,”  said  Mr.  Hedgehog  court- 
eously. 

So  the  Hare  then  ran  backwards  and  forwards  three 
and  seventy  times  ; but  each  time  the  Hedgehogs  had  the 
advantage  of  him,  for  either  Mr.  or  Mrs.  shouted  before  he 
could  reach  the  goal,  “ Here  I am  already  !” 

' The  four  and  seventieth  time,  the  Hare  was  unable  to 
run  any  more.  In  the  middle  of  the  course  he  stopped 
and  dropped  down  quite  exhausted,  and  there  he  lay  mo- 
tionless for  some  time.  But  the  Hedgehog  took  the  louis- 
d’or  and  bottle  of  brandy  which  he  had  won,  and  went 
composedly  home  with  his  Wife. 


CLXXX, 


The  Spindle,  the  Shuttle,  and  the 


HERE  was  once  upon  a time  a little  Girl  whose  father 


and  mother  died  when  she  was  quite  young.  At  the 
end  of  the  village  where  she  lived,  her  Godmother  dwelt 
in  a small  cottage,  maintaining  herself  by  spinning,  weav- 
ing, and  sewing,  and  she  took  the  poor  child  to  maintain, 
teaching  her  to  work  and  educating  her  piously.  Just 
when  the  Girl  had  reached  the  age  of  fifteen,  the  God- 
mother fell  ill,  and  calling  her  to  her  bedside  said  to  her, 
“ My  dear  daughter,  I feel  my  end  approaching.  I leave 
you  this  cottage,  where  you  will  be  protected  from  wind 
and  weather,  and  also  this  Spindle,  Shuttle,  and  Needle, 
with  which  you  may  earn  your  living.”  With  these  words 
she  laid  her  hands  on  the  Girl’s  head  and  blessed  her,  say- 
ing, “ So  long  as  you  remember  God,  everything  will  pros- 
per with  you.”  Soon  afterwards  the  good  Godmother 
closed  her  eyes  in  death,  and  when  she  was  carried  to  the 
grave,  the  poor  Maiden  followed  the  coffin,  weeping  bit- 
terly, to  pay  her  the  last  respect. 

The  little  Girl  now  lived  alone  in  her  cottage,  industri- 
ously spinning,  weaving,  and  sewing,  and  upon  everything 
that  she  did  rested  the  blessing  of  God.  It  seetned  as  if 
the  flax  in  her  room  increased  by  itself;  and  when  she 
wove  a piece  of  cloth  or  tapestry,  or  hemmed  a shirt,  she 
always  found  a purchaser  readiljq  who  paid  her  so  hand- 
somely that  she  had  enough  for  herself  and  could  spare  a 
little  for  others  who  were  poorer. 

Now  about  this  time  the  Son  of  the  King  of  this  coun- 
try was  looking  about  him  for  a bride,  and  as  he  was  not 


Needle, 


The  Spindle,  the  Shuttle,  and  the  Needle.  359 

allowed  to  marry  a poor  wife,  he  would  not  have  a rich  one. 
So  he  said,  “She  shall  be  my  bride  who  is  at  once  the 
richest  and  the  poorest !:’  When  he  came  to  the  village 
where  the  Maiden  dwelt,  he  asked,  as  was  his  custom,  who 
was  the  richest  and  poorest  maiden  in  the  place.  The 
people  first  named  the  richest,  and  then  told  him  that  the 
poorest  was  the  Maiden  who  dwelt  in  the  cottage  at  the  end 
of  the  village.  The  young  Prince  therefore  went  first  to 
the  rich  Maiden,  and  found  her  sitting  before  her  door  in  full 
dress ; but  as  soon  as  she  saw  him  approaching,  she  got  up 
and  made  him  a very  low  curtsey.  He  looked  at  her  once, 
and  then,  without  speaking  a word,  rode  away  to  the  house 
of  the  poor  Maiden,  whom  he  found  not  standing  at  the 
door,  but  sitting  in  her  kitchen.  He  stopped  his  horse, 
and,  looking  through  the  window  into  the  kitchen,  per- 
ceived how  brightly  the  sun  shone  into  it  and  how  indus- 
triously the  girl  herself  was  engaged  at  her  Spinning-wheel. 
She  looked  up,  but  as  soon  as  she  saw  the  Prince  peeping 
at  her.  she  blushed  as  red  as  a rose,  and  looked  down  again, 
industriously  turning  her  wheel  round.  Whether  the  thread 
just  then  was  quite  even  or  not,  I know  not,  but  she  spun 
on  till  the  Prince  rode  away.  Then  she  stepped  to  the 
window  and  opened  it,  saying,  “ It  is  so  hot  in  this  kit- 
chen !”  but  she  remained  at  the  window  looking  out  as  long 
as  she  could  see  the  white  feathers  upon  the  Prince’s  hat. 

After  this  she  sat  down  again  to  her  work,  and  presently 
a sentence  came  into  her  head  which  her  Godmother  had 
oftentimes  repeated  whilst  she  was  working.  She  sung: — 

“ Spindle,  Spindle,  out  with  you, 

And  bring  a wooer  home. 

Scarcely  had  she  spoken  the  words  when  the  Spindle 
sprang  from  her  hands  and  out  of  the  door,  and  as  she 
sprang  up  and  looked  after  it,  she  saw  it  merrily  dancing 
along,  over  the  field,  leaving  a golden  thread  behind  it. 


360 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


In  a short  time  it  was  out  of  sight,  and  then  the  Maiden, 
having  no  other  Spindle,  took  the  Shuttle  in  her  hand  and 
began  to  weave. 

Meanwhile  the  Spindle  still  danced  on,  and  as  the 
thread  came  to  an  end  it  reached  the  King’s  Son.  “What 
do  I see  ?”  exclaimed  he ; “ the  Spindle  showing  me  the 
way?”  and  turning  his  horse’s  head  round,  he  rode  back 
guided  by  the  golden  thread.  At  the  same  time  the  Girl 
sitting  at  work,  sang : — 

“ Shuttle,  Shuttle,  out  with  you, 

And  bring  a wooer  home.” 

Immediately  it  sprang  cut  of  her  hands  and  through 
the  door,  before  which  it  began  to  weave  a carpet  more 
beautiful  than  was  ever  before  seen.  On  both  borders 
were  represented  roses  and  lilies  blooming,  and  in  the 
middle,  on  a golden  ground,  green  vine-branches ; hares  and 
rabbits,  too,  were  represented  jumping  about,  and  fawns 
and  does  rubbing  their  heads  against  trees,  on  whose 
boughs  were  sitting  pretty  birds,  who  wanted  nothing  but 
the  gift  of  song.  And  all  this  pattern  the  Shuttle  wove  so 
quickly  that  it  seemed  to  grow  by  itself. 

But,  because  the  Shuttle  had  run  away,  the  Maiden  sat 
down  to  her  sewing : and  while  she  stitched  her  work  she 
sang : — 

“Needle,  Needle,  sharp  and  fme, 

Fit  the  house  for  wooer  mine.” 

As  soon  as  she  had  said  this,  the  Keedle  flew  out  of  her 
fingers,  and  sprang  all  about  the  room  like  a flash  of  light- 
ning. It  seemed  as  if  invisible  spirits  were  at  work,  for  in 
a few  minutes  the  table  and  bench  were  covered  with  green 
cloths,  the  chairs  with  velvet,  and  on  the  walls  were  hung 
silken  curtains.  And  scarcely  had  the  Needle  put  the  last 
stitch  to  them  when  the  Maiden  saw  through  the  window 
the  white  feathers  on  the  hat  of  the  Prince,  who  was  com- 


The  Spindle,  the  Shuttle,  and  the  Needle.  361 

ing  towards  her  cottage  drawn  by  the  golden  thread  of 
the  Spindle.  As  soon  as  he  approached  the  door  he  dis- 
mounted, and  walked  upon  the  carpet  into  the  cottage,  and 
as  soon  as  he  entered  the  room  there  stood  the  Maiden  in 
her  shabby  clothes  glowing  like  a rose  in  a bush. 

“ You  are  the  poorest,  and  yet  the  richest  Maiden,”  said 
the  Prince  to  her ; “ come  with  me,  and  you  shall  be  my 
Bride.” 

She  said  nothing,  but  held  out  her  hand,  which  the 
Prince  took,  and  giving  her  a kiss  he  led  her  out  of  the 
cottage  and  seated  her  behind  him  on  his  horse.  He  took 
her  to  the  King’s  castle,  where  the  wedding  was  performed 
with  great  magnificence,  and  afterwards  the  Spindle,  the 
Shuttle,  and  the  Needle  were  placed  in  the  treasure- 
chamber,  and  held  in  great  esteem. 


VOL.  II. — 16 


H H 


CLXXXI, 


The  Countryman  and  the  Evil  Spirit. 


ISTCE  there  lived  a bold  and  cunning  Countryman, 


whose  tricks  are  too  numerous  to  be  told  entire ; but 
one  of  the  best  tales  is  that,  showing  how  he  managed  to 
over-reach  an  Evil  Spirit  and  make  a fool  of  him. 

It  was  growing  quite  dusky  one  day,  when,  having 
ploughed  over  his  fields,  he  was  preparing  to  return  home. 
Just  then  he  perceived  in  the  middle  of  his  field  a heap  of 
red-hot  coals,  and  as  he  approached  it,  full  of  wonder,  he 
observed  a little  Black  Spirit  sitting  on  the  top.  “ You  are 
sitting  upon  some  treasure  ?”  said  the  Countryman  inquir- 
ingly. “ Yes,  indeed,”  replied  the  Spirit ; “ a treasure  con- 
taining more  gold  and  silver  than  you  ever  saw  in  your 


“ Then  the  treasure  belongs  to  me,  because  it  lies  on 
my  field,”  said  the  Countryman  boldly. 

“ It  shall  be  thine,”  replied  the  Spirit,  “ if  you  give  me 
for  the  next  two  years  half  of  the  produce  of  your  land. 
Of  gold  I have  more  than  enough,  and  I wish  for  some  of 
the  fruits  of  the  earth.” 

To  this  bargain  the  Countryman  agreed;  but  first  stipu- 
lated that  to  avoid  dispute  in  the  division  of  the  produce, 
what  was  above  ground  should  belong  to  the  Spirit  and 
what  was  beneath  the  surface  to  himself.  To  this  the  Spirit 
readily  consented,  but  the  crafty  Countryman  sowed  turnip 
seed.  So  when  the  harvest  time  arrived  the  Spirit  ap- 
peared to  claim  his  fruits ; but  he  found  nothing  but 
withered  yellow  stalks,  while  the  Countryman  contentedly 
dug  up  his  turnips.  “ For  once  you  have  got  the  advan- 
tage of  me,”  exclaimed  the  angry  Spirit,  “but  it  shall  not 


life.” 


The  Countryman  and  the  Evil  Spirit.  368 


happen  so  again;  mine  is  what  grows  above  the  ground 
and  yours  what  grows  below  it.”  “Very  well,  I am  satis- 
fied,” said  the  Countryman ; and  when  sowing  time  came 
round  he  put  maize-seed  in  the  ground  instead  of  turnips. 
The  corn  ripened  in  due  course,  and  then  the  Spirit  ap- 
peared to  fetch  away  his  crops.  Just  before  he  came  the 
Countryman  had  cut  and  carried  all  his  corn,  and  so  when 
the  Evil  Spirit  arrived  he  found  nothing  else  but  stubble, 
and  thereupon  he  hurried  off  in  a terrible  rage.  “So  must 
one  toss  foxes  in  blankets !”  cried  the  Countryman  when 
the  Evil  Spirit  was  gone,  and  went  and  fetched  the  treasure. 


CLXXXII. 


The  Robber  and  his  Sons. 


^ANCE  upon  a time  there  lived  in  a forest  a Robber  and 
his  band,  who  concealed  themselves  in  caves  and 
clefts  of  rocks ; and  when  any  princes,  nobles,  or  rich  mer- 
chants passed  near  them,  they  started  out  and  robbed  them 
of  their  money  and  other  property.  But  in  course  of  time 
the  head  Robber  grew  old ; and  then  he  took  an  aversion 
to  his  employment,  and  repented  of  the,  many  bad  actions 
he  had  done.  He  determined,  therefore,  to  lead  a better 
life,  like  an  honest  man,  doing  good  wherever  he  could. 
People  wondered  to  see  him  change  so  quickly,  but  they 
were  nevertheless  glad  of  it.  How  he  had  three  Sous, 
whom,  when  they  were  grown  up,  he  called  to  him,  and 
bade  them  choose  what  trade  or  profession  they  -would  be, 
that  they  might  earn  their  living  honestly.  The  Sons  con- 
sulted with  one  another,  and  then  answered,  “ The  apple 
falls  not  far  from  its  tree ; we  will  maintain  ourselves  as 
you  did,  we  will  become  Robbers.  A business  whereat  we 
must  work  from  morning  till  night,  and  yet  have  a scanty 
living  and  little  gains,  does  not  please  us  at  all.” 

“ Alas ! my  dear  children,”  replied  the  Father,  “ why 
will  you  not  live  quietly,  and  be  content  with  little? 
Honest  gains  last  the  longest.  Robbery  is  a wicked  and 
godless  trade,  which  leads  to  bad  endings;  in  the  riches 
which  you  may  acquire  you  will  have  no  peace,  for  that  I 
know  from  my  own  experience.  I tell  3rou  again  it  has  an 
evil  ending;  the  jug  is  taken  once  too  often  to  the  well, 
and  gets  broken  ; you  will  be  caught  at  last  and  hung  on 
the  gallows.”  * 

His  Sons,  however,  paid  no  attention  to  his  warnings, 


The  Robber  and  his  Sons.  365 

but  remained  unconvinced.  So  the  three  youths  resolved 
to  make  a trial,  and  because  they  knew  that  the  Queen  had 
a fine  horse,  of  great  value,  in  her  stables,  they  determined 
to  steal  it.  They  were  aware  that  the  horse  ate  no  other 
fodder  than  a tender  kind  of  grass,  which  grew  in  a cer- 
tain moist  wood.  Thither  they  went  and  cut  some  of  this 
grass,  which  they  made  into  a large  bundle,  and  in  the 
middle  thereof  the  two  elder  brothers  hid  the  younger  one 
so  cleverly  that  he  could  not  be  seen.  This  bundle  they 
carried  to  the  market,  and  the  Queen’s  stable-keeper  pur- 
chased it,  caused  it  to  be  carried  to  the  stable  of  the  horse, 
and  there  thrown  down.  As  soon  as  midnight  came  and 
everybody  was  fast  asleep,  the  boy  made  his  way  out  of  the 
bundle  of  grass,  and,  untying  the  horse,  bridled  it  with  its 
golden  bridle,  and  laid  across  it  the  cloth  picked  out  with 
gold,  which  formed  the  saddle,  and  the  bells  which  hung 
from  it  he  stopped  with  wax,  that  they  might  not  make 
any  sound.  This  done  he  opened  the  stable  door  and  rode 
away  in  great  haste  back  to  his  brothers.  The  watchmen 
in  the  town,  however,  remarked  the  thief,  and  pursued  him; 
and  catching  him  together  with  his  brothers,  they  took  all 
three  prisoners,  and  carried  them  off  to  gaol. 

The  next  morning  they  were  taken  before  the  Queen ; 
and  when  she  saw  how  young  they  were  she  made  inquiries 
about  their  parentage,  and  learnt  that  they  were  the  three 
sons  of  the  old  Robber  who  had  changed  his  mode  of  life, 
and  was  now  living  an  obedient  subject.  She  caused  them 
to  be  taken  back  to  prison,  and  asked  the  Father  if  he 
would  release  his  Sons.  The  Old  Man  said,  “ My  Sons  are 
not  worthy  of  a penny  being  spent  to  release  them.” 

“ You  are  a well-known  and  notable  Robber,”  replied' 
the  Queen  to  him  ; “ tell  me  the  most  remarkable  adven- 
ture which  you  have  met  with  in  your  life,  and  I will  re- 
lease your  Sons.” 

Thus  bidden,  the  old  Robber  replied,  “ My  lady  Queen, 


366 


Grimm's  Household  Stories. 


hear  my  tale  of  an  occurrence  which  frightened  me  more 
than  fire  or  water.  While  travelling  about,  I learnt  that 
in  a wild  wooded  ravine  between  two  hills,  twenty  miles 
distant  from  any  human  habitation,  there  dwelt  a Giant  in 
possession  of  an  immense  treasure  of  many  thousand  pieces 
of  gold  and  silver.  So  I selected  from  my  companions  as 
many  as  a hundred  men,  and  we  set  out  together  to  the 
place.  It  was  a long  and  toilsome  road  among  rocks  and 
precipices,  and  when  we  came  to  the  spot,  to  our  great  joy 
we  did  not  find  the  Giant  at  home,  so  we  took  as  much-  as 
we  could  carry  of  the  gold  and  silver.  Just  as  we  were 
making  our  way  home  with  this  treasure,  and  fancied  our- 
selves quite  safe,  we  were  unawares  surrounded  and  taken 
prisoners  by  the  Giant,  who  was  accompanied  by  ten  others. 
They  divided  us  amongst  them,  each  taking  ten,  and  I with 
nine  others  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  Giant  from  whom  we  had 
taken  the  treasure.  He  bound  our  hands  behind  our 
backs  and  carried  us  like  sheep  to  a rooky  cave,  and  when 
we  offered  to  ransom  ourselves  with  money  or  property,  he 
replied,  ‘ I do  not  want  your  treasures ; I shall  keep  you 
and  devour  you,  for  that  is  what  I reckon  upon.’  So  say- 
ing, he  felt  of  us  all,  and,  singling  out  one,  said,  ‘ This  one 
is  the  fattest  of  you  all,  and  I will  make  a beginning  with 
him.’  Then  he  struck  him  down,  and  putting  his  flesh  in 
morsels  into  a kettle  full  of  water,  he  set  it  on  the  fire  till 
it  was  boiled  through,  and  afterwards  made  his  meal  of  it. 
Thus  every  day  he  devoured  one  of  us,  and  because  I was 
the  leanest  I was  the  last.  So  when  my  nine  companions 
were  devoured  I bethought  myself  of  a stratagem  to  es- 
cape my  turn,  and  at  lengh  I said  to  the  Giant,  ‘I  see  you 
have  bad  eyes,  and  suffer  with  pain  in  your  face  ; I am  a 
physician,  and  well  experienced  in  my  profession,  and 
therefdre  if  you  will  spare  my  life  I will  heal  your  eyes.’ 

“ He  promised  me  my  life  if  I were  able  to  do  what  I 
said,  and  gave  me  everything  that  I asked  for.  I put  oil 


The  Robber  and  his  Sons. 


367 


in  a vessel  and  mixed  in  with  sulphur,  pitch,  salt,  arsenic, 
and.  other  destructive  ingredients,  and  then  I put  it  over 
the  fire,  as  if  I were  preparing  a plaster  for  his  eyes.  As 
soon  then  as  the  oil  boiled  I caused  the  Giant  to  lie  down, 
and  I then  poured  over  his  eyes,  head,  and  body  the  whole 
contents  of  the  vessel,  so  that  he  fully  lost  his  sight  and 
the  whole  skin  of  his  body,  was  blistered  and  burnt.  With 
a fearful  howl  he  jumped  up,  threw  himself  then  on  the 
ground  again,  and  wallowed  here  and  there,  uttering  dread- 
ful cries,  and  roaring  like  a bull  or  lion.  Then  again, 
springing  up  in  his  rage, ‘he  caught  up  a large  club  which 
was  lying  on  the  ground,  and  ran  all  over  the  cave  strik- 
ing now  against  the  floor  and  then  on  the  walls,  thinking- 
each  time  to  hit  me.  I could  not  escape,  for  the  cave  was 
everywhere  surrounded  with  high  walls,  and  the  doors 
were  closed  with  iron  bolts.  I jumped  from  one  corner 
to  the  other,  and  at  last,  because  I knew  not  what  else  to 
do,  I mounted  by  a ladder  to  the  roof  and  hung  thereon  by 
both  hands.  There  I remained  a day  and  a night,  and 
then,  because  I could  bear  it  no  longer,  I climbed  down 
again  and  mixed  with  the  sheep.  There  I was  obliged  to 
be  very  active  and  always  run  between  the  Giant’s  legs 
with  the  flock  that  he  might  not  notice  me.  At  length,  I 
found  in  one  corner  of  the  sheepfold  a ram’s  skin,  and 
managed  to  draw  it  on  so  well  that  the  beast’s  horns  came 
where  my  head  was.  Now  the  Giant  was  accustomed  when 
the  sheep  were  going  to  the  meadows  to  make  them  run 
between  his  legs,  by  which  means  he  counted  them,  and 
also  picked  out  the  fattest  one,  whom  he  caught  and  cooked 
for  his  dinner.  On  this  occasion  I thought  I should  easily 
escape  by  pressing  through  his  legs  as  the  sheep  did ; but 
he  caught  me,  and  finding  me  heavy,  said,  ‘You  are  fat, 
and  shall  fill  my  belly  to-day.’  I gave  one  leap  and  sprang 
out  of  his  hands,  but  he  caught  me  again.  I escaped  a 
second  time,  but  he  caught  me  again ; and  seven  times  I 


368 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


thus  alternately  eluded  and  fell  into  his  grasp.  Then  he 
flew  into  a passion,  and  said  to  me,  ‘You  may  run  away, 
and  may  the  wolves  devour  you,  for  you  have  fooled  me 
enough !’  As  soon  as  I was  outside  the  cave  I threw  off 
the  skin  which  disguised  me,  and  shouted  in  a mocking 
tone  to  him  that  I had  escaped  him  in  spite  of  all.  While- 
I did  so  he  drew  a ring  from  his  finger  and  held  it  out  to 
me,  saying,  1 Take  this  ring  as  a pledge  from  me ; you  have 
well  deserved  it.  It  would  not  be  becoming  either,  that  so 
crafty  and  clever  a man  should  go  unrewarded  by  me.’  I 
took  the  gold  ring  and  put  it  on  my  finger,  not  knowing 
that  it  was  enchanted,  and  that  it  compelled  me  to  utter, 
whether  I wished  or  not,  the  words  1 Here  I am,  here  I 
afti.’  In  consequence  of  this  the  Giant  was  made  aware 
where  I was,  and  pursued  me  into  the  forest.  But  there, 
because  he  was  blind,  he  ran  every  moment  against  some 
roots  or  trunks  of  trees,  and  fell  down  like  an  immense 
rock.  Each  time,  however,  he  quickly  raised  himself,  and, 
as  he  had  such  long  legs,  and  could  make  such  enormous 
strides,  he  gained  on  me  very  soon,  while  I still  cried,  with- 
out cessation,  ‘ Here  I am  1 Here  I am  1’  I was  well  aware 
that  the  ring  was  the  cause  of  my  exclamations,  and  I 
tried  to  draw  it  off  but  without  success.  At  last,  as  there 
was  no  other  resource,  I bit  off  my  finger  with  my  own 
teeth,  and,  at  the  same  time,  I ceased  to  cry  ‘ Here  I am !’ 
and  so  luckily  escaped  the  Giant.  Certainly  I thus  lost 
one  of  my  fingers,  but  I preserved  my  life  by  doing  so.” 
Here  the  Robber  broke  off  and  said  to  the  Queen, 
“ Madam,  if  it  please  you,  I have  told  you  this  adventure  to 
ransom  one  of  my  Sons ; and  now,  to  liberate  the  second, 
I will  narrate  what  further  happened  to  me : — 

“ As  soon  as  I had  escaped  from  the  Giant,  I wandered 
about  the  wilderness  totally  unable  to  tell  which  way  to 
turn.  I climbed  to  the  tops  of  the  firs  and  up  all  the  hills, 
but  wherever  I looked,  far  and  wide,  there  was  no  house, 


The  Eobber  and  his  Sons. 


369 


nor  field,  nor  a single  trace  of  a human  habitation : the 
whole  country  was  one  terrible  wilderness.  From  moun- 
tains, which  reached  up  to  heaven,  I reached  valleys  which 
were  only  to  be  compared  with  abysses.  I encountered 
lions,  bears,  buffalos,  zebras,  poisonous  snakes,  and  fearful 
reptiles:  I saw  two  wild  uncouth  men,  people  with  horns 
and  beaks,  so  frightful,  that  I shudder  even  now  when  I 
j think  of  them.  I hurried  on  and  on,  impelled  by  hunger 
Sand  thirst,  though  I feared  every  minute  I should  sink  with 
[exhaustion.  At  last,  just  as.  the  sun  was  going  down,  I 
came  to  a high  mountain,  from  whence  I saw,  in  a deserted 
valley,  a column  of  smoke  rising,  as  it  were,  from  a baker’s 
oven.  I ran  out  as  quickly  as  I could  down  the  moun- 
tain in  the  direction  of  the  smoke,  and  when  I got  below  I 
saw  three  dead  men  hanging  on  the  bough  of  a tree.  The 
sight  terrified  me,  for  I supposed  I had  fallen  into  the 
power  of  some  other  Giant,  and  I feared  for  my  life.  How- 
ever, taking  courage,  I went  on,  and  soon  came  to  a cottage 
whose  door  stood  wide  open  ; and  by  the  fire,  on  the  hearth, 
sat  a woman  with  her  child.  I entered,  greeted  her,  and 
asked  her  why  she  sat  there  alone,  and  where  her  husband 
was;  I asked,  too,  if  it  were  far  from  any  human  habita- 
tion. She  told  me,  in  reply,  that  any  country  where  there 
were  men’s  dwellings  was  at  a very  great  distance ; and 
she  related,  with  tears  in  her  eyes  how,  on  the  previous 
night,  the  wild  men  of  the  wood  had  entered  her  house 
and  stole  her  away  with  her  child  from  the  side  of  her  hus- 
band, and  carried  her  to  this  wilderness.  She  said,  too, 
that  that  morning  the  monsters,  before  going  out,  had  com- 
manded her  to  kill  and  dress  her  own  child,  that  they  might 
devour  it  on  their  return.  As  soon  as  I had  heard  this  tale 
I felt  great  pity  for  the  poor  woman  and  her  child,  and  re- 
solved to  rescue  them  Tom  their  situation.  So  I ran  away 
to  the  tree,  on  which  hung  the  three  thieves,  and,  taking 
down  the  middle  one,  who  was  the  stoutest,  carried  him 
VOL.  II. — 16* 


370 


Grimm's  Household  Stories. 


into  the  house.  I cut  him  in  pieces  and  told  the  woman  to 
give  them  to  the  robbers  to  eat.  Her  child  I concealed  in 
a hollow  tree,  and  then  I hid  myself  behind  the  house, 
where  I could  see  when  the  wild  men  arrived,  and  if  it 
were  necessary,  hasten  to  the  relief  of  the  woman.  As  soon 
as  the  sun  set,  the  three  Giants  came  down  from  the  moun- 
tain ; they  were  fearful  objects  to  look  at,  being  similar  to 
apes  in  their  stature  and  figure.  They  were  dragging  be- 
hind them  a dead  body,  but  I could  not  see  what  it  was. 
As  soon  as  they  entered  the'  house,  they  lighted  a large 
fire,  and,  tearing  the  body  to  pieces  with  their  teeth,  de- 
voured it  uncooked.  After  that  they  took  the  kettle,  in 
which  was  cooked  the  flesh  of  the  thief,  off  the  fire,  and 
divided  the  pieces  among  them  for  their  supper.  As  soon 
as  they  had  done,  one  of  them,  who  appeared  to  be  the 
head,  asked  the  woman  if  what  they  had  eaten  were  the 
flesh  of  her  child.  She  said  ‘Yes/’  And  then  the  monster 
said,  * I believe  that  you  have  concealed  your  child,  and 
given  us  to  eat  one  of  the  thieves  off  the  tree.’  So  saying, 
he  told  his  companions  to  run  off  and  bring  him  a piece  of 
the  flesh  of  each  of  the  three  thieves  that  he  mierht  assure 
himself  they  were  all  there.  As  soon  as  I heard  this  I 
ran  and* hung  myself  by  my  hands  between  the  two  thieves 
on  the  rope  which  had  been  round  the  neck  of  the  third. 
When  the  monsters  came,  they  cut  a piece  of  flesh  from 
the  side  of  each  of  us,  and  I endured  the  pain  without  suf- 
fering any  cry  to  escape  me.  I have  even  now  the  scar  for 
a witness  of  the  truth  of  the  tale.” 

Here  the  Robber  again  ceased,  and  told  the  Queen  that 
what  he  had  said  was  intended  as  a ransom  for  his  second 
Son,  and  for  the  third,  he  would  narrate  the  conclusion  of 
his  tale.  Then  he  went  on  thus  : — 

“ As  soon  as  the  wild  people  had  gone  away  with  these 
three  pieces  of  flesh,  I let  myself  down  again  and  bound 
up  my  wound  as  well  as  I could  with  strips  of  my  shirt, 


The  Eobber  and  his  Sons.  • 371 

but  I could  not  stop  tbe  blood,  which  streamed  down  me 
still.  I paid  no  attention  to  that,  however,  but  kept  think- 
ing still  how  to  perform  my  promise  of  saving  the  woman 
and  her  child.  I hastened  back,  therefore,  to  my  conceal- 
ment, and  listened  to  what  was  passing  in  the  cottage.  I 
could  scarcely  keep  my  attention  fixed,  however,  for  I felt 
so  much  pain  from  my  wound,  and,  besides,  I was  quite 
worn  out  with  hunger  and  thirst.  I observed,  never- 
theless, the  Giant  trying  the  three  pieces  of  flesh  which 
were  brought  to  him,  and  when  he  took  up  the  third,  which 
was  mine,  he  exclaimed  to  his  three  comrades,  1 Kun  at 
once  and  fetch  me  the  middle  thief,  for  his  flesh  seems  to 
me  the  best  flavoured !’  As  soon  as  I heard  this  I hurried 
to  the  gallows  and  suspended  myself  again  by  the  rope  be- 
tween the  two  thieves.  Soon  the  monsters  came,  and  pull- 
ing me  down,  dragged  me  over  the  thorns  and  stones  to 
the  house,  where  they  threw  me  on  the  floor.  Then,  sharp- 
ening their  knives,  they  prepared  to  slay  and  devour  me, 
but  just  as  they  were  about  to  begin,  there  suddenly  rolled 
such  a clap  of  thunder,  accompanied  by  lightning,  over  the 
house,  that  the  monsters  themselves  trembled  and  paused 
in  their  work.  The  thunder  and  lightning  continued  and 
the  rain  fell  in  torrents,  while  the  wind  blew  as  if  the  whole 
cottage  would  be  swept  away.  In  the  midst  of  the  noise 
and  confusion  the  monsters  fled  out  of  the  cottage  through 
the  window  and  roof  and  left  me  lying  on  the  ground. 
The  storm  lasted  for  three  hours  and  then  daylight  ap- 
peared, and  soon  the  sun  shone  out.  I got  up,  and  seek- 
ing the  woman  and  her  child,  we  left  the  ruined  hut,  and 
for  fourteen  days  wandered  about  the  wilderness,  subsisting 
on  nothing  but  roots,  herbs,  and  berries,  which  grew  on  our' 
path.  At  length  we  arrived  in  a civilized  country,  and  I 
found  the  husband  of  the  wife,  whose  joy  we  may  easily 
imagine  on  the  return  of  his  wife  and  child.” 


372  • Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

Here  the  Robber  ended  his  tale,  and  as  soon  as  he  had 
concluded,  the  Queen  said  to  him,  “You  have  atoned  for 
much  evil  by  your  restoration  of  this  poor  woman  to  her 
husband,  and,  therefore,  I now  liberate  your  three  sons.” 


CLXXXIII. 


The  Master-Thief. 


N old  Man.  and  his  Wife  were  many  years  ago  sitting 


one  day  before  their  miserable  hut,  resting  for  a while 
from  their  work.  All  at  once  a handsome  carriage,  drawn 
by  four  black  steeds,  drew  up  at  the  door,  and  out  of  it 
stepped  a well-dressed  Man.  The  Peasant  got  up  and 
asked  the  seeming  Lord  what  he  wanted,  and  how  he  could 
serve  him.  The  stranger,  offering  his  hand  to  the  Peasant, 
said,  “I  desire  nothing  more  than  to  enjoy  a homely  re- 
past with  you.  Cook  some  potatoes  in  your  usual  fashion, 
and  when  they  are  ready  I will  sit  down  at  your  table  and 
eat  them.” 

The  Peasant  laughed,  and  replied,  “ You  are  some 
Count,  or  Prince,  or  perhaps  some  Arch-Duke ; distin- 
guished lords  like  you  have  often  such  fancies ; but  your 
will  shall  be  done.” 

The  Peasant’s  Wife  thereupon  went  into  the  kitchen, 
and  began  to  wash  the  potatoes,  peel  them,  and  make  them 
into  dumplings,  as  they 'were  used  to  prepare  them.  While 
she  thus  proceeded  with  her  work,  the  Peasant  invited  the 
Lord  to  come  and  look  round  his  garden,  which  yet  yielded 
a little  produce.  Now,  in  the  garden  he  had  dug  holes  in 
order  to  set  trees. 

“Have' you  no  children  to  help  you  in  your  work?” 
asked  the  Stranger. 

“No!”  replied  the  Peasant;  “but  I once  had  a son,  but 
he  wandered  out  in  the  world  a long  while  ago.  He  was  a 
wild  youth,  and  very  spirited,  and  so,  instead  of  learning 
anything,  he  was  always  up  to  some  tricks ; at  last  he  ran 
away  from  me,  and  I have  heard  nothing  of  him  since.” 


i i 


374 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


As  the  Man  spoke  he  took  a young  tree,  and  placing  it 
in  one  of  the  holes,  planted  a pole  beside  it.  Then  as  he 
filled  in  the  soil,  and  pressed  it  down,  he  tied  the  stem  at 
the  bottom,  middle,  and  top  to  the  pole,  with  a straw  band. 

“ But  tell  me,”  suddenly  said  the  Stranger,  “ why  you 
do  not  bind  the  crooked,  knotty  stem,  in  j-on  corner,  which 
is  almost  bent  to  the  ground,  likewise  to  a pole  that  it  may 
grow  straight?” 

“My  Lord,”  replied  the  Peasant,  with  a laugh,  “you 
talk  as  you  know ; one  may  easily  see  that  you  understand 
nothing  of  gardening.  Yon  tree  is  old  and  knotted  by 
age,  and  nobody  could  make  it  straight  again.  Trees 
should  be  trained  while  they  are  young.”  “ So  it  is  with 
your  son,”  said  the  Stranger  : “ had  you  trained  him  when 
he  was  young  in  right  ways,  he  would  not  have  run  away  ; 
now,  he  will  also  grow  hardened  and  knotted.” 

“ Truly,  it  is  long  since  he  went  away,”  replied  the  old 
Man,  “ but  perhaps  he  is  changed.” 

“ Would  you  know  him  again  if  he  came  back?”  asked 
the  Stranger  abruptly. 

“ Not  by  his  face,  indedd,”  replied  the  Peasant ; “ but 
he  has  a mark  upon  him,  a mole  upon  hjs  shoulder  as  large 
as  a bean.” 

At  these  words  the  Stranger  drew  off  his  coat,  and, 
baring  his  shoulder,  showed  the  father  the  mole. 

“ You  are  indeed  my  son,”  said  the  old  Man,  and  all 
his  love  returned  for  his  child;  “but  yet,  how  can  you  be 
my  son ; you  have  become  a great  lord,  rolling  in  riches 
and  abundance ; by  what  path  have  you  arrived  at  this  ?” 

“Alas!  my  Father,”  replied  the  Son,  “ the  young  tree 
was  bound  to  no  pole,  and  grew  crooked ; now  is  it  too  old 
to  become  straight  again.  How  have  I gained  this, j'ou 
ask;  I have  been  a Thief.  But  do  not  be  frightened;  I 
am  a Master-Thief.  Neither  locks  nor  bolts  avail  against 
me ; whatever  I wish  for  is  mine.  Think  not  that 


The  Master-Thief. 


375 


1 steal  like  a common  thief;  no,  I only  take  from  the 
abundance  of  the  rich.  The  poor  are  safe,  for  I rather 
give  to  them  than  take  from  them.  So  also  I touch  not 
what  I can  obtain  without  craft  or  skill.” 

“Alas!  my  son,”  replied  the  old  Man,  “I  can  have  no 
pleasure  in  this ; a thief  is  a thief,  whether  clever  or  not, 
and  I warn  you  comes  not  to  any  good  end.”  So  saying 
he  led  him  to  his  Mother,  and  when  she  heard  that  he  was 
her  son  she  wept  for  joy,  but  when  she  was  also  told  that 
he  had  become  a thief,  two  rivers,  as  it  were,  of  tears 
flowed  from  her  eyes.  At  length  she  said,  “ He  is  still  my 
son,  although  become  a Master-Thief,  and  mine  eyes  have 
seen  him  once  more.” 

The  three  then  sat  down  to  table,  and  he  ate  again 
with  his  parents  the  coarse  fare  which  he  had  not  tasted 
for  so  long.  During  the  meal  the  old  Peasant  said  to  his 
son,  “If  our  master  the  Count  of  the  castle  above  there, 
knew  who  you  were,  and  what  you  were  doing,  he  would 
not,  methinks,  take  you  in  his  arms  and  rock  you,  as  he 
once  did  at  your  christening;  he  would  rather  cause  you 
to  be  hung  on  the  gallows.” 

“Do  not  be  afraid,  my  dear  Father,  he  will  do  nothing 
to  me;  I understand  my  trade  too  well.  To-day  even  I 
will  go  to  him.” 

So  when  it  was  evening  the  Master-Thief  got  into  his 
carriage  and  drove  to  the  castle,  where  the  Count  received 
him  with  courtesy,  because  he  took  him  for  some  noble 
personage.  But  when  the  stranger  disclosed  his  real  char- 
acter, the  Count  turned  pale,  and  sat  in  silence  for  some 
time.  At  last  he  said,  “ Since  you  are  my  godson  I will 
forego  justice  for  mercy,  and  show  forbearance  to  you.  But' 
because  you  profess  to  be  a Master-Thief,  I will  put  your 
art  to  the  proof,  and  if  then  you  fail,  you  must  keep  your 
wedding  with  the  hangman’s  daughter,  and  the  cawing  of 
the  rooks  shall  be  the  music  to  celebrate  it.” 


376 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“My  lord  Count,”  replied  the  Master-Thief,  “think  of 
three  as  difficult  tasks  as  you  can,  and  if  I do  not  fulfil  my 
pretensions  do  with  me  as  you  will.” 

The  Count  considered  for  some  minutes,  and  then  said, 
“For  the  first  task  you  shall  steal  out  of  its  stable  my 
favourite  horse ; for  the  second,  you  shall  take  away  from 
my  wife  and  me,  when  we  are  asleep,  the  counterpane  under 
which  we  lie,  without  our  knowledge,  and  also  the  ring  off 
my  wife’s  finger.  For  the  third  and  last  task,  you  shall 
steal  out  of  the  church  the  parson  and  the  clerk.  Now 
mark  all  this  well,  for  your  neck  depends  upon  its  due 
performance.” 

Thereupon  the  Master-Thief  went  to  the  nearest  town 
and  there  purchased  the  old  clothes  of  a country-wife  and 
put  them  on.  Then  he  dyed  his  face  a deep  brown,  and 
fashioned  wrinkles  on  it,  so  that  nobod}7  could  have  recog- 
nised him.  Lastly,  he  filled  a small  cask  with  old  Hungary 
wine,  in  which  he  mixed  a powerful  sleeping  drug.  Then, 
laying  the  cask  in  a basket  which  he  carried  upon  his 
shoulder,  he  walked  with  wavering  and  tottering  steps  to 
the  castle  of  the  Count.  It  was  quite  dark  wffien  he  arrived 
there,  and  so,  sitting  down  upon  a stone  in  the  courtyard, 
he  began  to  cough  like  an  asthmatic  old  woman,  and  rubbed 
his  hands  together  as  if  they  were  cold.  Now  before  the 
door  of  the  stables  Soldiers  were  lying  round  a fire,  and 
one  of  them  remarking  the  old  Woman  called  to  her  to 
come  nearer  and  warm  herself.  The  seeming  old  Woman 
trotted  up  to  the  group,  and  taking  her  basket  from  her 
head,  sat  down  near  them.  “ What  have  you  got  in  your 
basket,  old  Woman?”  cried  one.  “A  good  taste  of  wine,” 
she  replied;  “I  maintain  myself  by  trading  with  it;  for 
some  money  and  your  fair  words  I will  give  you  a glass- 
ful.” “Come  along,  then,”  returned  the  Soldier;  but  as 
soon  as  he  drunk  what  was  given  him,  he  said,  “ Ah ! this 
wine  is  very  good,  I would  rather  have  two  glasses  than’ 


THE  MASTER  THIEF.  Vol.  II.  Paqk  877. 


The  Master-Thief. 


377 


one!”  and  so  he  took  a second  glass,  and  then  his  comrades 
followed  his  example. 

“ Holloa,  there !”  exclaimed  one  of  the  Soldiers,  to  an- 
other inside  in  the  stable,  “Here  is  an  old  "Woman  with 
some  wine  so  good,  that  it  will  warm  jour  chest  more  than 
all  the  fire.”  As  he  spoke  she  carried  her  cask  into  the 
stable,  and  saw  there  three  Soldiers ; one  of  whom  sat  on 
the  sa  died  horse.  Another  had  the  bridle  in  his  hand, 
and  a third  held  on  by  the  tail.  The  old  Woman  served 
out  to  them  the  wine  as  long  as  it  lasted,  and  then  its 
effects  began  to  show  themselves.  He  who  held  the  bridle 
let  it  drop  from  his  hand,  and  sinking  to  the  ground  soon 
began  to  snore ; the  other  let  go  the  tail  and  fell  asleep, 
snoring  louder  than  the  other;  and  the  soldier  who  was 
sitting  on  the  horse  bent  his  head  upon  its  neck,  and  so 
fell  asleep,  and  snored  like  the  noise  of  a smith’s  bellows. 
The  Soldiers  outside,  also,  had  long  before  fallen  asleep,  and 
were  lying  motionless  as  stones  round  their  fire.  AVhen  the 
Master-Thief  saw  himself  so  far  favoured,  he  gave  to  him 
who  had  held  the  bridle  a rope  in  his  hand,  and  to  the  other 
who  had  held  the  tail  a wisp  of  straw ; but  what  to  do 
with  him  who  still  sat  on  the  horse’s  back  puzzled  him. 
He  could  not  throw  him  off,  for  that  would  have  awakened 
him,  and  he  would  have  called  for  help,  so  he  was  obliged 
to  adopt  a stratagem.  He  unbuckled  the  saddle-girths,  and 
knotted  fast  to  the  saddle  a couple  of  ropes,  which  passed 
through  rings  in  the  wall.  This  done  he  drew  the  sleeping 
rider,  saddle  and  all,  up  in  the  air,  and  then  made  the  ropes 
secure  to  the  posts  of  the  stable.  He  next  unchained  the 
horse,  but  before  he  led  him  over  the  stone  floor  of  the 
yard,  he  wrapped  his  hoofs  round  with  old  rags,  so  that 
they  might  not  make  any  noise  which  could  awaken  the 
watchers.  Then  he  led  his  prize  out  cautiously,  and  swing- 
ing himself  upon  its  back  rode  off  in  haste. 

As  soon  as  day  broke  the  Master-Thief  returned  to  the 


378 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


castle,  mounted  on  the  stolen  steed.  The  Count  was  up 
already,  and  looking  out  of  his  window. 

“Good  morning,  sir  Count,”  said  the  Thief;  “here  is 
your  horse,  which  I have  luckily  taken  from  its  stable. 
Look  around  and  see  your  soldiers  lying  in  the  yard  fast 
asleep;  and  if  you  go  into  the  stable  you  will  find  them 
equally  well  occupied  there.” 

The  Count  was  forced  to  laugh,  and  said,  “ Well,  for 
once  you  have  succeeded;  but  this  second  time  you  will 
not  come  off  so  easily.  And  I warn  you,  if  you  meet  me 
as  a Thief,  I shall  treat  you  as  a Thief.” 

By-and-by  night  came,  and  the  Countess  went  to  bed, 
with  her  wedding-ring  held  fast  in  her  closed  hand.  “All 
the  doors  are  locked  and  bolted,”  said  the  Count,  “ and  I 
shall  keep  awake  and  watch  for  this  Thief,  that,  if  he 
makes  his  appearance  at  the  window  I may  shoot  him.” 
The  Master-Thief,  however,  went  in  the  dark  to  the 
gallows,  and,  cutting  down  from  the  rope  a poor  criminal  who 
had  been  hung  there  that  day,  carried  him  on  his  back  to 
the  castle.  There  he  placed  a ladder  up  to  the  sleeping- 
chamber  of  the  Count,  and,  hoisting  the  dead  man  upon  his 
shoulders,  began  to  mount.  As  soon  as  he  had  got  so  high 
that  the  head  of  the  dead  man  was  on  a level  with  the  win- 
dow, the  Count,  concealed  by  the  curtain,  pointed  a pistol 
at  it  and  fired.  Immediately  the  Master-Thief  pitched  the 
corpse  over,  and  then  rapidly  descending  the  ladder,  con- 
cealed himself  in  a corner.  The  night  was  bright,  with 
a clear  moonshine,  and  the  Master-Thief  plainly  saw  the 
Count  descend  the  ladder,  and  bear  the  dead  man  away  into 
the  garden,  where  he  began  to  dig  a hole  in  which  to  bury 
him.  “ Now  is  the  lucky  moment !”  said  the  Thief  to  him- 
self; and  slipping  from  his  hiding-place,  he  ran  up  the 
ladder,  and  entered  the  sleeping-room.  “ Dear  wife,”  he 
began,  imitating  the  Count’s  voice,  “ the  Thief  is  dead, 
but  he  is  nevertheless  my  godson,  and  more  of  a rogue 


The  Master-Thief. 


379 


than  a criminal ; I do  not  wish,  therefore,  to  put  his 
family  to  shame,  for  I pity  his  poor  parents.  I wish,  there- 
fore, before  daybreak,  to  bury  him  in  the  garden,  that  the 
affair  may  be  kept  quiet.  Give  me  the  bed-covering,  that 
I may  wrap  his  body  in  it  and  bury  him  decently.” 

The  Countess  gave  him  the  counterpane  readily,  and  as 
she  did  so,  the  Thief  continued,  “ Do  you  know  I have  a 
fit  of  magnanimity  ; give  me  your  ring ; since  this  unfor- 
tunate fellow  has  perilled  his  life  for  it,  I will  bury  it  with 
him.” 

The  Countess  did  not  wish  to  disoblige  the  Count,  and 
so,  drawing  off  her  ring,  though  unwillingly,  she  handed 
it  to  him.  Thereupon  the  Thief  made  off  with  both 
his  prizes,  and  luckily  reached  his  home  before  the  Count 
had  finished  his  grave-digging. 

You  may  fancy  what  a long  face  the  Count  pulled  the 
next  morning  when  the  Master-Thief  brought  him  the  bed- 
covering and  the  ring.  “ Are  you  a wizard  ?”  he  said  to 
him : “ who  has  fetched  you  out  of  the  grave,  in  which  I 
myself  laid  you,  and  who  has  brought  you  to  life  again?” 

“ You  did  not  bury  me,”  replied  the  Thief,  “ but  a poor 
criminal  from  the  gallows ;”  and  then  he  related  circum- 
stantially all  that  had  occurred,  so  that  the  Count  was  com- 
pelled to  believe  that  he  was  a clever  and  crafty  fellow. 

“ But  your  tasks  are  not  ended  yet,”  said  the  Count ; 
“ you  have  still  the  third  to  do,  and  if  you  do  not  manage 
that  all  your  former  work  will  be  useless.” 

The  Master-Thief  laughed,  but  made  no  answer;  and 
when  night  came  he  went  to  the  village-church  with  a long 
sack  on  his  back,  a bundle  under  his  arm,  and  a lantern  in 
his  hand.  In  the  sack  he  had  some  crabs,  and  in  the 
bundle  some  short  wax-lights.  When  he  got  into  the 
church-yard  he  stopped  and  took  a crab  from  his  sack,  and 
fixing  one  of  his  wax-lights  upon  its  back  he  placed  it  on 
the  ground  and  made  it  crawl  about.  Then  he  took  out  a 


380 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


second,  and  a third,  and  so  on,  till  he  had  emptied  the 
sack.  After  that  he  put  on  a long  black  cloak,  like  a 
monk’s  gown,  and  fastened  a grey  beard  with  wax  to  his 
chin.  Then,  being  thus  completely  disguised,  he  took  the 
sack  in  which  the  crabs  had  been,  and,  going  into  the 
church,  proceeded  up  the  chancel.  At  the  same  moment 
the  steeple-clock  struck  twelve,  and  as  soon  as  the  last 
stroke  had  rung,  the  Master-Thief  began  to  cry  with  a clear, 
loud  voice,  “ Hear  all  you  sinners ! hear,  hear!  the  end  of 
the  world  is  come,  the  eternal  day  is  near ; hear,  hear ! 
Whoever  will  go  to  Heaven  with  me,  let  him  creep  into 
this  sack.  I am  Peter,  who  opens  and  shuts  the  gate  of 
Heaven.  See  out  there  in  the  church-yard  the  dead  wan- 
dering about,  collecting  their  bones  together.  Come,  come, 
come,  and  creep  into  the  sack,  for  the  world  passes  away.” 

His  words  resounded  through  the  whole  village ; but 
the  Parson  and  Clerk,  who  lived  close  to  the  church,  first 
understood  what  he  said  ; and  when  they  perceived  the 
lights  wandering  about  in  the  church-yard,  they  believed 
that  something  uncommon  was  happening,  and  went  into 
the  church.  They  listened  for  a while  to  the  preacher ; and 
at  length  the  Clerk  nudged  the  Parson,  and  said  to  him, 
“ It  would  not  be  a bad  plan  if  we  made  use  of  this  op- 
portunity before  the  dawning  of  the  eternal  day,  to  get  to 
Heaven  in  an  easy  way.” 

“Oh,  certainly!”  replied  the  Parson,  “that  is  exactly 
what  I think  ; if  you  desire  it,  we  will  forthwith  enter  on 
the  journey.” 

“Yes!”  said  the  Clerk;  “but you  have  the  precedence, 
Mr.  Parson  ; I will  follow  you.” 

So  the  Parson  mounted  the  chancel  steps,  and  crept 
into  the  sack  which  the  Master-Thief  held  open,  closely 
followed  by  the  Clerk.  Immediately  the  Thief  drew  the 
neck  of  the  sack  tight,  and,  swinging  it  round,  dragged  it 
down  the  steps,  and  so  often  as  the  heads  of  the  poor  fel- 


The  Mastek-Thiee 


381 


lows  in  it  knocked  against  the  floor,  he  cried  to  them,  “Ah, 
now  we  are  going  over  the  mountains  !”  When  they  were 
out  of  the  church  he  dragged  them  in  the  same  manner 
through  the  village,  and  called  the  puddles  which  the  sack 
$nnt  into  “ the  clouds.”  By-and-by  they  came  to  the 
castle,  and  as  he  dragged  the  sack  up  the  steps  he  named 
them  as  those  which  led  to  the  gate  of  Heaven,  and  said 
he,  “We  shall  soon  be  in  the  entrance-court  now.”  As 
soon  as  he  got  to  the  top,  he  pushed  the  sack  into  the  dove- 
cote ; and  when  the  doves  fluttered  about  he  told  the  Par- 
son and  Clerk  to  listen  to  the  angels  fluttering  their  wings. 
Then  he  pushed  the  bolt  to  and  went  away. 

The  next  morning  the  Master-Thief  presented  himself 
before  the  Count,  and  told  him  that  he  had  performed  the 
third  task,  and  drawn  the  Parson  and  Clerk  out  of  the 
church.  “ Where  have  you  left  them  then  ?”  asked  the 
Count. 

“ They  are  lying  in  a sack  in  the  dove-cote,”  said  the 
Thief,  “ and  fancy  themselves  in  Heaven.” 

The  Count  went  himself,  and  saw  that  the  Thief  had 
spoken  the  truth  ; but  he  freed  the  two  poor  men  from 
their  imprisonment.  After  he  had  done  so,  he  said  to  the 
Thief,  “You  are  indeed  an  arch-thief,  and  have  won  your 
wager.  For  this  time  you  may  escape  with  a whole  skin, 
but  take  care  to  keep  away  from  my  provinces  ; for  if  you 
venture  again  into  my  power  you  shall  be  elevated  on  the 
gallows.” 

The  Master-Thief  then  took  his  leave ; and  after  he  had 
said  good-bye  to  his  parents,  he  went  away  to  a distant 
country,  and  nobody  has  seen  or  heard  of  him  since. 


CLXXXIV. 


The  Drummer. 


HE  evening  a young  Drummer  was  walking  all  alone 


on  the  sea-shore,  and  as  he  went  along  he  perceived 
three  pieces  of  linen  lying  on  the  sand.  “What  fine 
linen  !”  said  he;  and  picking  up  one  of  the  pieces,  he  put 
it  in  his  pocket  and  went  home,  thinking  no  more  of  his 
discovery.  By-and-by  he  went  to  bed ; and  just  as  he  was 
about  to  fall  asleep,  he  fancied  he  heard  some  one  call  his 
name.  He  listened,  and  presently  distinguished  a gentle 
voice,  calling,  “ Drummer,  Drummer,  awake !”  He  could 
see  nothing,  for  it  was  quite  dark ; but  he  felt  as  it  were 
something  flitting  to  and  fro  over  his  bed.  “ What  do  you 
want?”  he  asked  at  length.  “ Give  me  back  my  shirt,”  re- 
plied the  voice,  “ which  you  found  yesterday  on  the  sea- 
shore.” 

“ You  shall  have  it  again  if  you  tell  me  who  you  are.” 
“Alas!  I am  the  Daughter  of  a mighty  King;  but  I 
have  fallen  into  the  power  of  a Witch,  who  has  confined 
me  on  the  glass  mountain.  Every  day  I am  allowed  to 
bathe  with  my  two  sisters  in  the  sea : but  I cannot  fly 
away  again  without  my  shirt.  Yestereve  my  sisters  escaped 
as  usual,  but  I was  obliged  to  stay  behind,  so  I beg  you  to 
give  me  my  shirt  again.” 

“ Rest  happy,  poor  child !”  replied  the  Drummer,  “ I 
will  readily  give  it  back  ;”  and,  feeling  for  it  in  his  pocket, 
he  handed  it  to  her.  She  hastily  snatched  it,  and  would 
have  hurried  away,  but  the  Drummer  exclaimed,  “ Wait  a 
moment,  perhaps  I can  help  you!” 

“That  you  may  do,”  said  the  voice,  “ if  you  climb  up 


The  Drummer. 


383 


the  glass  mountain  and  free  me  from  the  Witch ; but  you 
cannot  get  there,  nor  yet  ascend,  were  you  to  try.” 

“ Where  there’s  a will  there’s  a way,”  said  the  Drum- 
mer. “ I pity  you,  and  I fear  nothing;  but  I do  not  know 
the  way  to  the  glass  mountain.” 

“The  path  lies  through  the  large  forest,  where  the 
Giants  are,”  said  the  child  : “ more  I dare  not  tell  you 
and,  so  saying,  she  flew  away. 

At  break  of  day  the  Drummer  arose,  and  hanging  his 
drum  round  him  walked  straight  away  without  fear  into 
the  forest.  After  he  had  traversed  some  distance  without 
perceiving  any  Giant,  he  thought  to  himself  he  would 
awake  the  sleepers ; and  so,  steadying  his  drum,  he  beat  a 
roll  upon  it  which  disturbed  all  the  birds  so  much, ’that 
they  flew  off.  In  a few  minutes  a Giant  raised  himself 
from  the  ground,  where  he  had  been  lying  asleep  on  the 
grass.;  and  his  height  was  that  of  a fir-tree.  “You 
wretched  wight !”  he  exclaimed,  “ what  are  you  drumming 
here  for,  awaking  me  out  of  my  best  sleep  ?” 

“ I am  drumming,”  he  replied,  “ to  show  the  way  to  the 
many  thousands  who  follow  me.” 

“ What  do  they  want  here  in  my  forest  ?”  asked  the 
Giant. 

“ They  are  coming  to  make  a path  through,  and  rid  it 
of  such  monsters  as  you,”  said  the  Drummer. 

“ Oho  ! I shall  tread  them  down  like  ants.” 

“ Do  you  fancy  you  will  be  able  to  do  anything  against 
them?”  said  the  Drummer.  “Why  if  you  bend  down  to 
catch  any  of  them,  others  will  j ump  upon  your  back ; and 
then  when  you  lie  down  to  sleep,  they  will  come  from 
every  bush  and  creep  upon  you.  And  each  one  has  a 
steel  hammer  in  his  girdle,  with  which  he  means  to  beat 
out  your  brains.” 

The  Giant  was  terribly  frightened  to  hear  all  this,  and 
he  thought  to  himself : “ If  I meddle  with  these  crafty  people 


884 


Grimm's  Household  Stories. 


they  will  do  me  some  injury.  I can  strangle  wolves  and 
bears,  but  these  earthworms  I cannot  guard  against.”  Then 
speaking  aloud  he  said,  “Here,  you  little  fellow,  I promise 
for  the  future  to  leave  you  and  your  comrades  in  peace ; 
and  if  you  have  a wish,  tell  it  to  me,  for  I will  do  anything 
to  please  you.” 

“Well  then,”  replied  the  Drummer,  “you  have  got 
long  legs,  and  run  quicker  than  I,  so  carry  me  to  the  glass 
mountain,  and  I will  beat  a retreat  march  to  my  com- 
panions, so  that  for  this  time  you  shall  not  be  disturbed.” 

“ Come  hither,  you  worm,”  said  the  Giant,  “set  your- 
self on  my  shoulder,  and  I will  bear  you  whither  you  de- 
sire.” 

The  Giant  took  him  up  ; and  the  Drummer  began  to 
beat  with  all  his  might  and  main.  “ That  is  the  sign,” 
thought  the  Giant,  “for  the  others  to  go  back.”  After 
a while  a second  Giant  started  up  on  the  road,  and  took  the 
Drummer  from  the  shoulders  of  the  first,  and  put  him  in 
his  button-hole.  The  Drummer  took  hold  of  the  button, 
which  was  as  big  as  a plate,  to  hold  on  by  and  looked 
round  in  high  spirits.  By-and-by  they  met  with  a third 
Giant,  who  took  him  out  of  the  button-hole  and  placed  him 
on  the  rim  of  his  hat.  Here  the  Drummer  walked  round 
and  round  observing  the  country ; and  perceiving  in  the 
blue  distance  a mountain,  he  supposed  it  to  bq  the  glass- 
mountain,  and  so  it  was.  The  Giant  took  only  a couple 
more  strides  and  arrived  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  where 
he  set  down  the  Drummer.  The  latter  desired  to  be  taken 
to  the  summit ; but  the  Giant  only  shook  his  head  and 
went  away,  muttering  something  in  his  beard 

So  there  the  poor  Drummer  was  left  standing  before 
the  mountain,  which  was  as  high  as  if  three  hills  had  been 
placed  on  each  other,  and  withal  as  smooth  as  a mirror,  so 
that  he  knew  not  how  he  should  ascend  it.  He  began  to 
climb,  but  it  was  in  vain,  he  slipped  back  every  step.  “ Oh 


The  Drummer. 


385 


that  I were  a bird!”  he  exclaimed;  but  of  what  use  was 
wishing?  wings  never  grew  for  that.  While  he  rumi- 
nated, he  saw  at  a little  distance,  two  men  hotly  quarrel- 
ling. He  went  up  to  them  and  found  that  their  dispute 
related  to  a saddle,  which  lay  on  the  ground  before  them  ; 
and  for  the  possession  of  which  they  were  contending. 
“ What  fools  you  are,”  he  exclaimed,  “to  quarrel  about  a 
saddle  for  which  }rou  have  no  horse.” 

“ The  saddle  is  worth  fighting  about,”  replied  one,  “ for 
whoever  sits  upon  it,  may  wish  himself  where  he  will,  and 
may  go  even  to  the  end  of  the  world  if  he  so  desire.  The 
saddle  belongs  to  us  in  common  ; but  it  is  now  my  turn  to 
ride  and  this  other  will  not  let  me.” 

“I  will  soon  end  your  quarrel !”  exclaimed  the  Drum- 
mer, walking  a few  steps  forward,  and  planting  a white 
wand  in  the  ground  ; “run  both  of  you  to  that  point,  and 
whoever  gets  there  first  shall  ride  first.” 

The  two  men  started  off  at  once,  but  they  had  scarcely 
^one  two  steps,  when  the  Drummer  sat  himself  hastily 
down  on  their  saddle,  and  wishing  himself  on  the  top  of 
the  glass  mountain,  was  there  before  one  could  turn  his 
hand  round.  On  the  summit  was  a large  plain  whereon 
stood  an  old  stone  mansion,  and  before  its  door  a fish-pond, 
and  behind,  a dark  wood.  The  Drummer  saw  neither  man 
nor  beast,  all  was.still,  but  the  noise  of  the  wind  among  the 
trees ; while  close  above  his  head  the  clouds  were  rolling 
along.  He  stepped  up  to  the  door  of  the  house  and  knocked 
thrice,  and  after  the  third  time,  an  old  Woman  with  red 
eyes  and  a brown  face  opened  it.  She  had  spectacles  upon 
her  nose,  and  looked  at  him  very  sharply  before  she  asked 
what  his  business  was. 

“ Entrance,  a night’s  lodging,  and  provisions,”  replied 
the  Drummer  boldly. 

“ That  you  shall  have,  if  you  promise  to  perform  three 
tasks!”  said  she. 

VOL.  it. — 17 


K K 


886 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“And  why  not?”  he  replied,  “I  am  not  afraid  of 
work,  be  it  ever  so  hard  !” 

So  the  old  Woman  let  him  come  in,  and  gave  him 
supper,  and  afterwards  a good  bed. 

The  next  morning  when  the  Drummer  arose,  the  old 
Woman  handed  him  a thimble  off  her  withered  finger, 
and'  said ; “ How  go  to  work  and  empty  the  pond  out 
there  with  this  thimble,  but  you  must  finish  it  before  night ; 
and  besides  that,  you  must  take  out  all  the  fishes,  and 
range  them  according  to  their  species  upon  the  bank.” 

“ That  is  a queer  job  1”  said  the  Drummer;  but  going 
to  the  pond  he  began  to  thimble  out  the  water.  He  worked 
all  the  morning,  but  what  could  he  do  with  a single  thimble 
if  he  had  kept  at  work  for  a thousand  years  ? When  noon- 
day came  he  stopped  and  sat  down ; for  as  he  thought,  “ It 
is  no  use,  and  all  the  same  whether  I work  or  not.”  Just 
then,  a Girl  came  from  the  house  and  brought  him  a basket 
of  provisions.  “What  do  you  want?”  she  asked,  “that 
you  sit  there  so  sorrowful.” 

The  Drummer  looked  up,  and  seeing  that  the  speaker 
was  very  beautiful,  he  replied : “ Alas ! I -cannot  perform 
the  first  task,  and  how  I shall  do  the  others,  I cannot  tell ! 
I have  come  here  to  seek  a King’s  daughter,  who  lives 
hereabouts,  but  I have  not  found  her,  and  I must  go 
further.” 

“Stop  here!”  said  the  Girl,  “I  will  assist  you  out  of 
your  trouble.  You  are  tired,  so  lay  your  head  in  my  lap 
and  go  to  sleep ; when  you  awake  again  the  work  will  be 
done !” 

The  Drummer  did  not  need  twice  telling,  and  as  soon 
as  his  eyes  were  closed,  the  Maiden  pressed  a wishing  ring 
which  she  had,  and  said ; “ Out  water,  out  fishes.”  Im- 
mediately the  water  rose  in  the  air  like  a white  vapour, 
and  rolled  away  with  the  other  clouds,  while  the  fishes  all 


The  Drummer. 


387 


jumped  out,  and  arranged  themselves  on  the  banks  accord- 
ing to  their  size  and  species. 

By-and-by  the  Drummer  awoke  and  saw  to  bis  astonish- 
ment bis  work  completed.  “ One  of  the  fishes,”  said  the 
Maiden,  “does  not  lie  with  its  companions,  but  quite  alone ; 
and  so,  when  the  old  AVoman  comes  this  evening  and  sees 
that  all  is  done,  she  will  ask  why  this  fish  is  left  out,  and 
you  must  take  it  up  and  throw  it  in  her  face,  saying, 

‘ That  is  for  you,  old  AVitch.’  ” 

So  when  it  was  evening  the  old  AVoman  came  and  asked 
the  question,  and  he  immediately  threw  the  fish  in  her  face. 
She  did  not  appear  to  notice  it,  but  only  looked  silently 
and  maliciously  at  him.  The  next  morning  she  said  to 
him,  “You  got  off  too  easily  yesterday;  I must  give  you 
a harder  task ; to-day  you  must  cut  down  all  my  trees, 
split  the  wood  into  faggots,  and  range  them  in  bundles; 
and  all  must  be  ready  by  night.” 

AVith  these  words  she  gave  him  an  axe,  a mallet,  and 
two  wedges ; but  the  first  was  made  of  lead  and  the  others 
of  tin.  AVhen,  therefore,  he  began  to  chop,  the  axe  doubled 
quite  up,  while  the  mallet  and  wedges  stuck  together.  He 
knew  not  what  to  do ; but  at  noon  the  Maiden  came  again 
with  his  dinner  and  comforted  him.  “Lay  your  head  in 
my  lap,”  said  she,  “ and  when  you  awake  the  work  will  be 
done.”  Thereupon  she  turned  her  wishing  ring,  and  at  the 
same  moment  the  whole  forest  fell  down  with  a crash,  the 
timber  split  of  itself  and  laid  itself  together  in  heaps,  as  if 
innumerable  giants  were  at  work.  As  soon  as  the  Drummer 
awoke,  the  Maiden  said  to  him,  “ See,  here  is  all  your  wood 
properly  cut  and  stacked,  with  the  exception  of  one  bough, 
which,  if  the  old  AVoman,  when  she  comes  this  evening, 
asks  the  reason  of,  give  her  a blow  with  it,  and  say,  ‘ That 
is  for  thee,  old  AVitch.’  ” 

Accordingly,  when  the  Old  AVoman  came,  she  said, 


388 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“ See  how  easy  the  work  is ; but  for  whom  is  this  bough 
left  out  ?” 

“ For  you,  old  Witch !”  he  replied,  giving  her  a blow. 
But  she  appeared  not  to  feel  it,  and,  laughing  fiendishly, 
“ said  to  him,  “ To-morrow  you  shall  lay  all  the  wood  in  one 
pile,  and  kindle  and  burn  it.” 

At  daybreak  he  arose  and  began  to  work;  but  how 
could  a single  man  pile  up  a whole  forest  ? The  work 
proceeded  very  slowly.  The  Maiden,  however,  did  not 
forget  him  in  his  troubles,  and  brought  him  as  usual  his 
mid-day  meal,  after  eating  which  he  laid  his  head  in  her 
lap  and  slept.  On  his  awaking  he  found  the  whole  pile 
burning  in  one  immense  flame,  whose  tongues  of  fire 
reached  up  to  heaven.  “ Attend  to  me,”  said  the  Maiden  to 
him ; “ when  the  Witch  comes  she  will  demand  something 
singular,  but  do  what  she  desires  without  fear,  and  you 
will  take  no  harm ; but  if  you  are  afraid,  the  fire  will  catch 
and  consume  you.  Lastly,  when  you  have  fulfilled  her 
demands,  take  her  with  both  hands  and  throw  her  into  the 
midst  of  the  flames.” 

Thereupon  the  Maiden  left  him,  and  presently  the  old 
Woman  slipped  in,  crying,  “Hu!  hu!  how  I freeze!  but 
there  is  fire  to  warm  me  and  my  old  bones ; that  is  well ; 
but,”  she  continued,  turning  to  the  Drummer,  “there  is  a 
log  which  will  not  burn,  fetch  it  out  for  me;  come,  if  you 
do  that,  you  shall  be  free  and  go  where  you  will,  only  be 
brisk.” 

The  Drummer  plunged  into  the  flames  without  a mo- 
ment’s consideration ; but  they  did  him  no  harm,  not  even 
singeing  a single  hair.  He  bore  the  faggot  off  and  laid  it 
beside  the  old  Witch ; but  as  soon  as  it  touched  the  earth 
it  changed  into  the  beautiful  Maiden  who  had  delivered 
him  from  his  troubles,  and  he  perceived  at  once  by  her 
silken  shining  robes  that  she  was  the  King’s  daughter. 
The  old  Woman  laughed  fiendishly  again,  and  exclaimed, 


The  Drummer. 


389 


“Do  you  think  you  have  her?  not  yet,  not  yet!”  And  so 
saying,  she  would  have  seized  the  Maiden  ; but  the  Drum- 
mer, catching  her  with  both  his  hands,  threw  her  into  the 
middle  of  the  burning  pile,  and  the  flames  closed  in  around 
her,  as  if  rejoicing  in  the  destruction  of  such  a Witch. 

When  this  was  done  the  Maiden  looked  at  the  Drum- 
mer, and,  seeing  that  he  was  a handsome  youth,  and  that 
he  had  ventured  his  life  to  save  hers,  she  held  out  her  hand 
to  him  and  said,  “ You  have  dared  a great  deal  for  me,  and 
I must  do  something  for  you;  promise  me  to  be  true  and 
faithful,  and  you  shall  be  my  husband.  For  wealth  we 
shall  not  want;  we  have  enough  here  in  the  treasure  which 
the  old  Witch  has  gathered  together.” 

Thereupon  she  led  him  into  the  house  and  showed  him 
chests  upon  chests  which  were  filled  with  treasures.  They 
left  the  gold  and  silver,  and  took  nothing  but  diamonds 
and  pearls ; and  then,  as  they  no  longer  wished  to  remain 
on  the  glass  mountain,  the  Drummer  proposed  that  they 
should  descend  on  the  wishing  saddle.  “ The  old  saddle 
does  not  please  me,”  said  the  Maiden,  “and  I need  only 
turn  the  ring  on  my  finger  and  we  shall  be  at  home.” 

“Well,  then,  wish  ourselves  at  the  city  gate,”  replied 
the  Drummer : and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  they  were 
there.  “ I will  go  and  take  the  news  to  my  parents  first,” 
said  the  Drummer;  “ wait  here  for  me,  for  I shall  soon  be 
back.” 

“ Ah ! I pray  you  then  take  care  not  to  kiss  your 
parents  when  you  arrive  on  the  right  cheek,  else  will  you 
forget  everything,  and  I shall  be  left  alone  in  this  field.” 
“ How  can  I forget  you  ?”  said  he,  and  promised  her  faith- 
fully to  return  in  a very  short  time.  When  he  entered  hi's 
father’s  house  nobody  knew  him,  he  was  so  altered,  for  the 
three  days  which  he  had  imagined  he  had  spent  on  the 
glass  mountain  were  three  long  years.  He  soon  recalled 
himself  to  their  remembrance,  and  his  parents  hung  round 


390 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


his  neck,  so  that,  moved  by  affection,  he  entirely  forgot 
the  Maiden’s  injunctions  and  kissed  them  on  both  cheeks. 
Every  thought  concerning  the  Princess  at  once  faded  from 
his  mind,  and  emptying-zhis  pockets,  he  laid  handfuls  of 
precious  stones  upon  the  table.  The  parents  could  not  tell 
what  to  do  with  so  much  wealth,  till  at  length  they  built  a 
noble  castle  surrounded  by  gardens,  woods,  and  meadows, 
and  fit  for  a prince  to  inhabit.  When  it  was  done  the 
Mother  of  the  Drummer  said  to  him,  “I  have  looked  out 
for  a wife  for  you,  and  you  shall  be  married  in  three  days’ 
time.” 

Now  the  Drummer  was  quite  content  with  all  that  his 
Parents  proposed ; but  the  poor  Princess  was  very  discon- 
solate. For  a long  time  after  he  first  left  her  she  waited 
for  him  in  the  fields;  but  when  evening  fell  she  believed 
that  he  had  kissed  his  Parents  on  the  right  cheek,  and  for- 
gotten all  about  her.  Her  heart  was  full  of  grief,  and  she 
wished  herself  in  some  solitary  forest  that  she  might  not 
return  to  her  father’s  court.  Every  evening  she  went  to 
the  city  and  passed  by  the  Drummer’s  house,  but  although 
he  saw  her  many  times  he  never  recognised  her.  At  last 
she  heard  one  day  the  people  talking  of  the  wedding  of  the 
Drummer,  and  she  thereupon  resolved  to  make  a trial  if 
she  could  regain  his  love.  As  soon  as  the  first  festival  day 
was  appointed,  she  turned  her  wishing  ring,  saying,  “A 
dress  as  shining  as  the  sun.”  Immediately  the  dress  lay 
before  her,  and  seemed  as  if  wove  out  of  the  purest  sun- 
beams ! Then,  as  soon  as  the  guests  had  assembled  she 
slipped  into  the  hall,  and  everybody  admired  her  beautiful 
dress;  but  most  of  all  the  bride  elect,  who  had  a passion 
for  fine  dresses,  and  went  up  to  her  and  asked  if  she  would 
sell  it.  “ Not  for  money,”  she  replied  ; “ but  for  the  privi- 
lege of  sleeping  for  one  night  next  to  the  chamber  of  the 
bridegroom.” 

The  Bride  elect  could  not  resist  her  wish  for  the  dress, 


The  Drummer. 


391 


and  so  she  consented;  but  first  of  all  she  mixed  in  the 
sleeping-draught  of  the  Bridegroom  a strong  potion  which 
prevented  him  from  being  awakened.  By-and-by,  when 
all  was  quiet,  the  Princess  crept  to  the  chamber  door,  and 
opening  it  slightly,  called  gently, 

“ Drummer,  Drummer,  0 list  to  me, 

Forget  not  what  I did  for  thee ; 

Think  of  the  mountain  of  glass  so  high, 

Think  of  the  Witch  and  her  cruelty ; 

Think  of  my  plighted  troth  with  thee: 

Dimmer  ! Drummer  ! O list  to  me  1” 

She  cried  all  in  vain,  the  Drummer  did  not  awake,  and 
when  day  dawned  the  Princess  was  forced  to  leave.  The 
second  evening  she  turned  her  wishing-ring,  and  said,  “ A 
dress  as  silvery  as  the  moon.”  As  soon  as  she  had  spoken 
it  lay  before  her ; and  when  she  appeared  in  it  at  the  ball, 
the  Bride  elect  wished  to  have  it  as  well  as  the  other,  and 
the  Princess  gave  it  to  her  for  the  privilege  of  passing 
another  night  next  the  chamber  of  the  Bridegroom.  And 
everything  passed  as  on  the  first  night. 

The  servants  in  the  house,  however,  had  overheard  the 
plaint  of  the  strange  Maiden,  and  they  told  the  Bridegroom 
about  it.  They  told  him  also  that  it  was  not  possible  for 
him  to  hear  anything  about  what  was  said  because  of  the 
potion  which  was  put  into  his  sleeping  draught. 

The  third  evening  the  Princess  turned  her  ring  and 
wished  for  a dress  as  glittering  as  the  stars.  As  soon  as 
she  appeared  in  the  ball-room  thus  arrayed,  the  Bride  elect 
was  enchanted  with  its  beauty,  and  declared  rapturously, 
“I  must  and  will  have  it.”  The  Maiden  gave  it  up  like 
the  former,  for  a night’s  sleep  next  the  Bridegroom’s  * 
chamber.  This  time  he  did  not  drink  his  wine  as  usual, 
but  poured  it  out  behind  the  bed;  and  so,  when  all  the 
house  was  quiet,  he  heard  a gentle  voice  repeating, 


892 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“ Drummer,  Drummer,  O list  to  me, 

Forget  not  what  I did  for  thee  ; 

Think  of  the  mountain  of  glass  so  high, 

Think  of  the  Witch  aud  her  cruelty  ; 

Think  of  my  plighted  troth  with  thee : 

Drummer  ! Drummer ! O list  to  me.” 

All  at  once  his  memory  returned,  and  he  exclaimed, 
“ Alas ! alas ! how  could  I have  treated  you  so  heart- 
lessly; but  the  kisses  which  I gave  my  parents  on  the  right 
cheek  in  the  excess  of  my  joy,  they  have  bewildered  me.” 
He  jumped  up,  and  taking  the  Princess  by  the  hand,  led 
her  to  the  bedside  of  his  Parents.  This  is  my  true  Bride,” 
said  he;  “and  if  I marry  the  other  I shall  do  a grievous 
wrong.”  When  the  Parents  heard  all  that  had  happened 
they  gave  their  consent,  and  thereupon  the  lights  in  the 
hall  were  rekindled,  the  drums  and  trumpets  re  fetched,  the 
friends  and  visitors  invited  to  come  again,  and  the  true 
wedding  was  celebrated  with  great  pomp  and  happiness. 

But  the  second  Bride  received  the  three  splendid 
dresses,  and  was  as  well  contented  as  if  she  had  been 
married ! 


CLXXXV. 


The  Ears  of  Wheat, 


GES  upon  ages  ago,  when  the  angels  used  to  wander 


on  earth,  the  fruitfulness  of  the  ground  was  much 
greater  than  it  is  now.  Then  the  Ears  of  Wheat  bore,  not 
fifty  or  sixty-fold,  but  four  times  five-hundred-fold.  Then 
the  corn  grew  from  the  bottom  of  the  stalk  to  the  top ; 
and  so  long  as  the  stalk  was,  so  long  were  the  Ears.  But 
as  men  always  do  in  the  midst  of  their  abundance,  they 
forgot  the  blessing  which  came  from  God,  and  became  idle 
and  selfish. 

One  day  a Woman  went  to  a corn-field,  and  her  little 
Child  who  accompanied  her  fell  into  a puddle  and  soiled 
her  frock.  The  Mother  tore  off  a handful  of  Wheat-ears 
and  cleaned  her  Daughter’s  dress  with  them.  Just  then 
an  Angel  passed  by,  and  saw  her.  He  became  very  angry, 
and  declared  to  her  that  henceforth  the  Wheat-stalks  should 
no  longer  produce  Ears,  for,  said  he,  “ You  mortals  are  not 
worthy  of  heaven’s  gifts.”  The  bystanders  who  heard  him, 
fell  on  their  knees,  weeping  and  praying  him  to  leave  the 
Wheat-stalks  alone,  if  not  for  themselves,  yet  for  the  poor 
fowls,  who  must  otherwise  perish  with  hunger.  The 
Angel  pitied  their  distress  and  granted  part  of  their 
prayer;  and  from  that  day  the  Ears  of  Wheat  grew  as 
they  do  now. 


vor.  it. — :1? 


CLXXXVI. 


The  Grave-Mound. 


NOE  upon  a time  a rich  Farmer  was  standing  in  his 


yard,  looking  out  over  his  fields  and  gardens,  where 
the  corn  was  growing  quite  yellow,  and  the  trees  hanging 
down  with  fruit.  The  produce  of  the  previous  year  lay  yet 
in  his  granaries,  and  its  weight  was  so  great  that  the  beams 
could  scarcely  support  it.  Next  he  went  into  his  stables, 
and  there  stood  stall-fed  oxen,  fat  cows,  and  sleek  horses. 
Lastly,  he  went  back  to  his  kitchen  and  his  parlour,  where 
stood  the  iron  chests  in  which  his  gold  was  contained. 
Whilst  he  stood  meditating  upon  his  riches  he  heard  sud- 
denly a knock  close  to  him.  It  was  not  at  the  door  of  his 
house,  but  at  his  heart.  He  listened,  and  heard  a voice 
which  said  to  him,  “ Have  you  done  good  with  your 
wealth  ? have  you  cared  for  the  troubles  of  the  poor  ? 
have  you  shared  your  bread  with  the  hungry?  have  }'ou 
been  contented  with  what  you  possess,  or  have  you  desired 
more?”  His  heart  replied  without  delay,  “I  have  been 
hard  and  unmerciful  to  all ; I have  done  good  to  no  one ; 
when  a poor  man  has  come  to  my  door  I have  turned 
away  my  eyes ; nor  have  I concerned  myself  about  a Grod, 
but  thought  only  how  to  increase  my  riches,  and  had  all 
that  heaven  covered  been  mine,  I should  not  even  then 
have  been  satisfied  !”  As  soon  as  these  answers  had  passed 
through  his  mind,  he  became  terribly  frightened ; and  his 
knees  trembled  so  much  that  he  was  forced  to  sit  down. 
Then  a second  knock  was  heard  by  him,  but  this  time  it 
was  not  at  his  heart,  but  at  the  door.  It  was  his  neigh- 
bour, a Poor  Man,  who  had  a great  many  children,  more 
than  he  could  satisfy.  “ I know  that  my  neighbour  is 


The  Grave-Mound. 


395 


rich,”  the  poor  fellow. had  thought  to  himself;  “but  he  is 
also  very  stingy : I do  not  believe  that  he  will  help  me, 
but  my  children  cry  so  for  bread,  I will  venture  it !” 
When  the  Rich  Man  answered  the  knock,  the  Poor  Man 
said  to  him;  “You  are  not  accustomed,  I know,  to  give 
readily  to  the  poor ; but  I stand  here  like  one  whose  head 
is  nearly  under  water ; my  children  are  hungry,  lend  me 
four  measures  of  meal  ?” 

The  Rich  Man  looked  at  him  for  some  time,  and  soon 
the  first  sunbeam  of  compassion  began  to  melt  the  ice  of 
his  selfishness.  “ I will  not  lend  you  four  measures,”  he 
replied  ; “ but  I will  give  you  eight  measures,  on  one  con- 
dition !” 

“ What  is  that  ?”  asked  the  Poor  Man. 

“ When  I 
grave.” 

This  condition  caused  the  Poor  Man  much  secret  un- 
easiness ; still,  on  account  of  the  necessity  in  which  he  was, 
he  consented ; and  promising  all,  he  carried  the  corn  home 
with  him. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  Rich  Man  had  a presentiment  of 
what  was  to  happen,  for  after  three  days,  he  suddenly  fell 
dead  on  the  ground ; nobody  knew  the  cause  of  his  decease, 
but  no  suspicion  was  excited.  After  he  was  buried,  the 
Poor  Man  remembered  his  agreement,  from  which  he 
wished  he  could  have  released  himself;  but  he  thought, 
“ The  man  behaved  very  compassionately  to  me,  and  I 
satisfied  my  children’s  hunger  with  his  corn  ; and  besides, 
I promised,  and  must  perform.” 

As  soon,  then,  as  night  fell,  he  went  to  the  churchyard 
and  sat  down  on  a grave-mound.  All  was  still,  only  the' 
moon  was  shining  on  the  hillocks,  and  many  times  an  owl 
flew  by,  making  her  doleful  cries.  As  soon  as  the  sun 
again  arose,  the  poor  man  returned  home  wearied  out ; and 
in  due  time  passed  the  second  night  in  similar  quiet.  But 


am  dead,  you  must  watch  three  nights  by  my 


896 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


on  the  third  evening  he  felt  a peculiar  terror ; it  seemed  as 
if  something  stood  before  him.  As  soon  as  he  got  out  he 
perceived  a man  on  the  wall  of  the  churchyard,  whom  he 
had  never  seen  before.  He  was  by  no  means  Jroung,  for 
his  face  was  full  of  wrinkles ; but  his  eyes  shone  with  a 
bright  light.  He  was  quite  enveloped  by  a large  cloak, 
and  only  his  large  jackboots  were  to  be  seen.  “What 
are  you  seeking  hpre  ?”  asked  the  Peasant ; “ are  you  not 
afraid  of  the  lone  churchyard  ?” 

“ I fear  nothing  and  desire  nothing,”  replied  the  Man. 
“ I am  like  the  youth  who  travelled  to  learn  what  shiver- 
ing meant,  and  wearied  himself  in  so  doing,  but  still  re- 
ceived a Princess  for  his  Wife  and  great  riches ; but  I have 
always  been  poor;  I am  nothing  but  a discharged  Soldier, 
and  want  to  pass  the  night  here,  because  I have  no  other 
shelter.” 

“ If  you  have  no  fear,  then,”  said  the  Peasant,  “ remain 
with  me,  and  assist  me  to  watch  this  grassy  mound.” 

“ Keeping  guard  is  part  of  the  Soldier’s  business,”  re- 
plied the  stranger  ; “so,  whatever  meets  us  here,  whether 
bad  or  good,  we  will  bear  in  common.” 

To  this  the  Peasant  assented,  and  the  pair  sat  down  by 
the  grassy  mound.  Everything  was  quiet  till  midnight; 
and  then  all  at  once  a cutting  sound  was  heard  in  the  air, 
and  the  two  watchers  perceived  an  Evil  Spirit  standing  be- 
fore them.  “ Away,  you  rascals !”  he  cried,  “ away  ! the 
man  who  lies  in  this  grave  belongs  to  me  ; I am  come  to 
fetch  him,  and  if  you  do  not  take  yourselves  off  I will  break 
your  hecks.”  “ Captain  with  the  red  feather !”  replied  the 
Soldier,  “ you  are  not  my  captain ; I need  not  obey  you ; 
and  to  fear  I have  never  learnt.  Go  your  way  ! we  shall 
stop  here.” 

When  the  Soldier  had  spoken  this,  the  Evil  Spirit  be- 
gan to  think  to  himself  that  perhaps  he  could  manage  the 
two  watchers  better  by  offering  them  money ; and  so  mod- 


The  Grave-Mound. 


397 


erating  his  tune,  he  asked  civilly  whether  they  would  not 
be  satisfied  to  go  home  on  the  receipt  of  a purse  of  gold. 

“ That  deserves  consideration,”  said  the  Soldier  ; “ but 
we  shall  not  be  sufficiently  rewarded  with  one  purseful  of 
gold  : if,  however,  you  will  give  us  as  much  as  will  fill  one 
of  my  jackboots,  we  will  leave  the  field  to  you  and  go 
away.” 

“ I have  not  so  much  with  me,”  replied  the  Evil  Spirit; 
“but  I will  fetch  it.  In  the  neighbouring  town  lives  a 
banker,  who  is  an  intimate  friend  of  mine,  and  he  will 
readily  lend  me  all  I require.” 

So  saying,  the  Spirit  disappeared ; and  as  soon  as  he 
was  gone,  the  Soldier,  drawing  off  his  left  boot,  said  to  his 
companion,  “ Ah ! now  see  how  we  will  pull  the  nose  of 
this  coal-burner;  only  give  me  your  knife,  cousin.” 

He  first  cut  off  the  sole,  and  then  set'  the  boot  upright 
in  the  long  grass  on  the  edge  of  a half-dug  grave,  near  the 
one  they  were  watching.  “That  is  well  done,”  he  said  : 
“ now  the  chimney-sweeper  may  come  as  soon  as  he  likes.” 
The  pair  sat  down  again  to  watch,  and  in  a short  time 
the  Spirit  returned,  carrying  a bag  of  gold  in  his  hand. 

“Shoot  it  in!”  said  the  Soldier,  raising  the  boot  up  a 
little  as  he  approached ; “ but  that  lot  will  not  be  enough.” 
The  Spirit  emptied  the  bag ; but  the  gold  fell  through  the 
boot  of  course,  so  that  there  remained  nothing  in  it. 
“Stupid  Spirit!”  exclaimed  the  Soldier;  “ it  is  nothing  at 
all,  did  I not  tell  you  so?  You  must  return  and  fetch 
more.”  Shaking  his  head,  the  Spirit  went  and  returned  in 
an  hour  with  a much  larger  bag  under  his  arm.  “ Shoot  it 
in  !”  said  the  Soldier  again,  “ but  I doubt  there  is  still  not 
enough.”  The  gold  clinked  as  it  fell,  but  the  boot  was  still 
empty,  and  the  Spirit  himself,  looking  in  with  fiery  eyes, 
convinced  himself  of  the  fact.  “ You  have  shamefully 
calves  !”  exclaimed  the  Spirit,  making  a wry  face. 

“ Did  you  think,”  answered  the  Soldier,  “ that  I had 

L L 


898 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


hoofs  like  you  ? Since  when  have  you  been  so  illiberal  ? 
Come,  make  haste  and  fetch  some  more  gold,  or  our  bar- 
gain will  be  at  an  end.” 

'The  Evil  Spirit  trotted  off  a third  time,  and  after  some 
long  while  returned  with  a sack  upon  his  shoulders  which 
nearly  bent  him  double.  He  shot  its  contents  quickly  into 
the  boot,  but  still  it  remained  as  empty  as  before.  There- 
upon he  flew  into  a dreadful  passion,  and  tried  to  snatch 
the  boot  out  of  the  ground  ; but  at  the  same  moment  thd 
first  dawn  of  daylight  appeared,  and  the  sun  began  to  rise, 
so  that  the  Evil  Spirit  was  forced  to  fly  away  with  loud 
shrieks.  And  the  body  of  the  rich  man  thenceforth  rested 
in  peace. 

The  Peasant  would  have  shared  the  gold  which  the 
Spirit  had  left  behind  him  ; but  the  Soldier  said,  “ No  ! 
give  to  the  poor  what  should  belong  to  me,  and  I will  re- 
turn with  you  to  your  cottage,  and  there  we  will  spend  the 
remainder  of  our  days  in  quiet  happiness,  so  long  as  it 
shall  please  God  to  spare  us.” 


CLXXXVII. 


Old  Rinkrank. 


r 1 ’’'HERE  was  once  a King  who  had  a Daughter ; and  he 
had  a glass  mountain  built,  and  said  that  whoever 
could  run  over  it  without  tumbling  should  have  this 
Daughter  for  his  wife.  Then  there  was  one  who  was  so 
fond  of  the  King’s  Daughter  that  he  asked  the  King 
whether  he  might  not  marry  her.  “ Yes,”  said  the  King, 
“if  you  can  run  over  the  mountain  without  tumbling,  then 
you  shall  have  her.”  The  King’s  Daughter  said  she  would 
run  over  with  him,  so  that  she  might  hold  him  up  if  he  were 
going  to  fall ; so  they  ran  over  together,  but  when  they 
got  up  to  the  middle  the  King’s  Daughter  slipped  and  fell, 
and  the  glass  mountain  opened  itself,  and  she  tumbled  right 
into  it.  Her  Sweetheart  couldn’t  see  a bit  where  she  had 
gone  through,  for  the  mountain  had  closed  again  directly. 
Then  he  fretted  and  cried  so  much,  and  the  King  too  was 
so  wretched,  that  he  had  the  mountain  broken  down  again, 
thinking  he  would  get  his  daughter  out  again;  but  they 
could  never  find  the  place  where  she  had  tumbled  through. 
In  the  mean  time  the  King’s  Daughter  had  got  quite  deep 
into  the  ground,  in  a great  cave.  There,  there  came  to  her 
an  old  fellow  with  a tremendous  long  grey  beard,  and  he 
told  her  that  if  she  would  be  his  servant  and  do  all  he 
bade  her,  she  should  remain  alive  ; if  not,  he  would  make 
away  with  her.  So  she  did  all  he  told  her.  In  the  morn- 
ing he  took  his  ladder  out  of  his  pocket  and  placed  it 
against  the  mountain,  and  climbed  up  out  of  it.  Then  he 
pulled  the  ladder  up  after  him.  She  had  then  to  cook  his 
dinner,  to  make  his  bed,  and  to  do  all  his  work ; and  when 


400 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


he  came  home  again  he  always  brought  great  heap3  of  gold 
and  silver  with  him. 

Now,  when  she  had  been  many  years  with  him,  and 
had  already  grown  quite  old,  he  called  her  Mother  Mans- 
rot,  and  she  had  to  call  him  Old  Rinkrank.  One  day, 
when  he  was  out  again,  she  made  his  bed,  and  washed  his 
dishes,  and  then  she  shut  up  all  the  doors  and  windows 
quite  close ; but  there  was  a little  loophole,  through  which 
the  light  shone  into  the  house,  and  that  she  left  open. 
When  Old  Rinkrank  came  home  again  he  knocked  at  his 
door,  and  called  out,  “ Open  the  door  for  me.”  “ Nay,  Old 
Rinkrank,”  said  she;  “I  sha’n’t  open  the  door.”  Then  he 
said : — 

“ Here  stand  I,  poor  Rinkrank, 

Upon  my  seventeen  long  shanks ; 

Mother  Mansrot,  wash  my  dishes  f 

“ I have  already  washed  your  dishes,”  said  she.  Then 
he  said  again  : — 

“ Here  stand  I,  poor  Rinkrank, 

Upon  my  seventeen  long  shanks  ; 

Mother  Mansrot,  make  my  bed  !” 

“ I have  already  made  your  bed,”  said  she.  Then  he 
said  again : — 

“ Here  stand  I,  poor  Rinkrank, 

Upon  my  seventeen  longshanks ; 

Mother  Mansrot,  open  the  door  1” 

Then  he  ran  all  round  about  the  house,  and  saw  that  the 
little  loophole  was  open,  so  he  thought,  “I  will  just  look 
in  there,  to  see  what  she  is  about  that  she  won’t  open  the 
door  for  me.”  So  he  went  and  tried  to  look  in,  but  he 
couldn’t  get  his  head  through  on  account  of  his  long  beard, 
so  he  poked  his  beard  through  the  loophole  first,  and  when 
he  had  got  it  quite  through  Mother  Mansrot  ran  up,  and 
fastened  the  trap-door  with  a band  which  she  had  tied  to  it, 


Old  Rinkrank. 


401 


and  so  the  beard  was  fastened  in  quite  tight.  Then  he 
began  to  scream  most  miserably,  it  hurt  him  so ; and  he 
begged  and  prayed  she  would  let  him  loose ; but  she  said 
not  before  he  gave  her  the  ladder  on  which  he  climbed  out 
of  the  mountain.  Then,  whether  he  willed  or  not,  he  was 
obliged  to  say  where  the  ladder  was.  So  she  tied  a very 
long  band  to  the  trap-door,  and  placed  the  ladder  against 
the  mountain,  and  climbed  up  out  of  it ; and  when  she  was 
up  at  the  top  she  pulled  the  trap-door  open.  She  went 
then  to  her  father  and  told  all  about  what  happened  to  her. 
The  King  was  greatly  rejoiced  ; and  her  Sweetheart  was 
there  still ; so  they  went  and  dug  up  the  mountain,  and 
found  Old  Rinkrank  with  all  his  gold  and  silver.  Then 
the  King  had  Old  Rinkrank  killed,  and  took  home  all 
his  silver  and  gold.  And  the  King’s  Daughter  married 
her  old  Sweetheart,  and  they  lived  right  merrily  in  splen- 
dour and  happiness. 


CLXXXVIII. 


The  Ball  of  Crystal. 


THERE  was  once  upon  a time  an  Enchantress  who  had 
three  sons,  who  loved  one  another  dearly,  but  yet 
their  mother  would  not  trust  them,  and  was  always  suspect- 
ing that  they  would  rob  her  of  her  power;  so  she  changed 
the  eldest  into  an  Eagle,  and  condemned  him  to  dwell  on 
the  tops  of  a rocky  chain  of  mountains,  where  one  might 
see  him  many  times  wheeling  round  and  round  in  the  air 
in  great  circles.  The  second  brother  she  changed  into  a 
Whale,  and  he  dwelt  in  the  deep  sea,  -where  one  might  see 
him  now  and  then  throwing  up  a huge  stream  of  water. 
These  two  could  retake  their  human  form  for  two  hours  a 
day.  The  third  son,  however,  fearing  that  he  might  be 
changed  into  some  wild  beast,  bear  or  lion,  secretly  took 
his  departure,  for  he  had  heard  that  in  the  Castle  of  the 
Golden  Sun  sat  an  enchanted  Princess  awaiting  a deliverer. 
Many  a youth  had  felt  bound  to  venture  his  life  in  her 
cause,  but  already  had  three-and-twenty  met  with  horrible 
deaths,  and  only  one  remained  to  tell  the  dreadful  tale. 
Our  hero  drove  away  all  fear  from  his  mind,  and  resolved 
to  search  out  this  wonderful  castle.  For  a very  long  time 
he  had  wandered  about,  when  one  day  he  unexpectedly 
arrived  in  a large  forest,  from  which  he  could  not  get  out. 
He  perceived,  however,  in  the  distance  two  Giants,  who 
beckoned  him  with  their  hands.  He  went  towards  them, 
and  they  told  him  that  they  were  fighting  for  the  pos- 
session of  a hat;  but,  as  they  were  both  equally  strong, 
neither  could  gain  the  mastery,  and  they  wished,  therefore, 
to  leave  the  decision  to  him,  since  men  of  his  size  were 
generally  very  wise  and  crafty. 


The  Ball  op  Crystal. 


403 


“ What  can  induce  you  to  light  for  an  old  hat?”  asked 
the  Youth. 

“You  do  not  know  the  wonderful  properties  which 
belong  to  it,”  answered  the  Giants;  “it  is  a wishing  hat, 
and  whoever  wears  it  may  go  instantly  whither  he  wishes.” 

“ Give  me  the  hat,”  sakl  the  Youth ; “ I will  go  a short 
way,  then  do  you  both  run  as  if  for  a wager,  and  whoever 
comes  up  to  me  first  shall  have  the  hat.”  With  these 
words  he  put  the  hat  on  and  walked  off  ; but,  beginning  to 
think  of  the  Princess,  he  forgot  the  Giants,  and  walked  on 
and  on.  All  at  once  he  heaved  a sigh  from  the  bottom  of 
his  heart,  and  exclaimed,  “ Ah  ! that  I were  near  the  Castle 
of  the  Golden  Sun.”  Scarcely  had  the  words  passed  his 
lips  when  he  found  himself  standing  on  a high  mountain 
before  the  very  place.  He  entered  the  Castle  by  the  door 
and  passed  through  all  the  rooms  till  he  came  to  the  last, 
where  he  found  the  Princess.  But  how  startled  he  was 
when  he  saw  her.  Her  face  was  full  of  wrinkles,  her  eyes 
were  sunk  deep  in  her  head,  and  her  hair  was  red.  “Are 
you  the  King’s  Daughter  of  whose  beauty  all  the  world 
talks?”  asked  the  Youth.  “Alas!”  she  replied,  “this  is 
not  my  form;  the  eyes  of  mortal  men  can  only  see  me  in 
this  hateful  guise ; but  that  you  may  know  how  beautiful 
is  the  reality,  look  in  this  mirror  which  cannot  err,  that  will 
show  you  my  face  as  it  is  in  reality.”  She  gave  him  a 
mirror,  and  he  beheld  in  it  the  portrait  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful Maiden  the  earth  could  contain,  and  over  her  cheeks  he 
could  even  see  the  tears  of  sorrow  rolling.  “How  can  I 
save  you  ?”  he  asked ; “ no  danger  will  appal  me.”  The 
Princess  replied,  “He  who  can  obtain  possession  of  the 
Crystal  Ball,  and  hold  it  before  the  Enchanter,  will  thereby 
break  his  power,  and  I shall  return  to  my  original  shape. 
But,  alas ! already  many  a one  has  met  death  for  me,  and  I 
shall  grieve  for  your  youthful  blood  if  you  dare  these  great 
perils.” 


404 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


“Nothing  can  keep  me  from  the  attempt,”  said  the 
Youth;  “but  what  must  I do?” 

“You  shall  know  all,”  said  the  Princess:  “if  you  de- 
scend the  mountain  on  which  this  castle  stands  you  will 
find  a wild  Ox,  with  which  you  must  fight,  and  if  you  are 
lucky  enough  to  kill  it,  a Fiery  Bird  will  rise  from  its' 
carcase,  in  whose  body  is  a red  hot  egg,  the  yolk  of  which 
forms  the  Crystal  Ball.  This  Bird  will  not  drop  the  egg 
till  it  is  compelled  ; but  if  it  falls  to  the  ground  it  will  burn 
and  consume  whatever  is  near  it,  and  then  the  iron  will 
melt,  and  with  it  the  Crystal  Ball,  and  all  your  trouble  will 
be  futile.” 

The  Youth,  thereupon,  descended  to  the  bottom  of  the 
mountain,  where  he  saw  the  Ox,  who  commenced  as  soon 
as  he  appeared  to  bellow  and  run  at  him.  After  a long 
fight  the  Youth  plunged  his  sword  into  its  body,  so  that  it 
fell  dead  to  the  ground.  At  the  same  instant  the  Fiery 
Bird  rose  from  the  carcase  and  was  about  to  fly  away, 
when  the  Eagle,  the  brother  of  the  Youth,  who  was  just 
then  passing  over  the  spot,  swooped  down  and  struck  the 
Bird  towards  the  sea,  so  that  in  its  endeavours  to  escape 
it  let  fall  the  egg.  The  egg,  however,  did  not  fall  into  the’ 
sea,  but  on  the  roof  of  a fisherman’s  hut  which  stood  on  the 
shore.  The  roof  began  to  burn,  for  the  egg  instantly  blazed 
up ; but  at  the  moment,  immense  waves  dashed  out  of  the 
sea,  and  rolling  quite  over  the  hut  extinguished  the  fire.  It 
was  the  other  brother,  the  Whale,  who  had  caused  this, 
having  luckily  swum  there  at  the  right  time.  As  soon  as 
the  fire  was  out,  the  Youth  searched  for  the  egg,  and  found 
it  very  quickly ; it  was  not  quite  molten,  but  the  shell  was 
so  cracked  by  the  sudden  cooling  of  the  cold  sea  water, 
that  he  managed  easily  to  extract  the  Crystal  Ball. 

The  Youth  took  it  at  once  to  show  to  the  Enchanter, 
who,  as  soon  as  he  saw  it,  said,  “ My  power  is  destroyed, 
and  you  are  henceforth  King  of  the  Castle  of  the  Golden 


The  Ball  of  Crystal. 


405 


Sun.  Your  brothers,  also,  can  now  return  to  their  human 
forms. 

The  Youth  then  hastened  to  the  Princess,  and  as  soon  ' 
as  he  entered  the  room  her  former  beauty  returned  in  all  its 
glory,  and  they  both  exchanged  rings  with  great  joy,  which 
means  to  say,  I suppose,  that  they  married  and  were  very 
happy. 


CLXXXIX. 


Jungfrau  Maleen. 


HpHERE  was  once  upon  a time  a King’s  Son,  who  went 
a-wooing  the  Daughter  of  another  might}r  King,  and 
her  name  was  Jungfrau  Maleen.  Her  father,  however, 
refused  his  permission  to  the  match,  because  he  wished  her 
to  marry  some  one  else.  But  they  both  still  loved  one  an- 
other so  dearly,  that  Jungfrau  Maleen  told  her  father  she 
could  not  and  would  not  marry  any  one  except  this  Prince. 
When  she  said  so,  her  father  flew  into  a great  passion,  and 
caused  a gloomy  tower  to  be  built,  into  which  no  ray  of 
either  sun  or  moon  could  penetrate.  When  it  was  com- 
pleted he  said  to  his  Daughter,  “For  seven  years  you 
shall  sit  therein ; and  at  the  end  of  that  period  I will  come 
and  see  if  your  stubborn  disposition  is  conquered.”  Meat 
and' drink  sufficient  for  these  seven  years  were  carried  into 
the  tower,  and  then  the  Princess  and  her  Maid  were  led- 
into  it,  and  bricked  up,  so  that  earth  and  heaven  were  shut 
out  from  them.  They  were  quite  in  darkness,  and  knew 
no  difference  between  day  and  night.  The  Prince  often 
came  to  the  outside  of  the  tower  and  called  their  names, 
but  they  heard  nothing,  for  no  sound  could  penetrate 
through  the  thick  walls.  What  could  they  do,  then,  ex- 
cept weep  and  lament  their  fate ! So  time  passed  by ; and, 
by  the  decreasing  of  their  food  and  drink  they  perceived 
that  the  end  of  their  imprisonment  was  approaching. 
They  imagined  that  their  release  was  at  hand;  but  no 
sound  of  a hammer  was  to  be  heard,  nor  were  any  stones 
picked  out  of  the  wall,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  King  had 
forgotten  them.  So,  when  they  had  sufficient  food  left  for 
only  a few  days,  and  the  prospect  of  a miserable  death  stared 


Jungfrau  Maleen. 


407 


them  in  the  face,  Jungfrau  Maleen  said  to  her  companion, 
“ It  is  time  now  that  we  should  try  to  break  through  the 
wall.” 

So  saying,  she  took  their  bread-knife,  and  picked  and 
scraped  away  the  mortar  round  one  stone;  and  when  she 
was  tired  the  Maid  assisted  her.  After  a long  time  they 
succeeded  in  taking  out  one  stone,  then  a second,  and  a 
third,  and  thus,  after  three  days’  labour,  a ray  of  light 
illumined  their  cell ; and  then  they  made  the  opening  so 
large  that  they  could  peep  through  it.  The  heaven  was 
blue,  and  a fresh  breeze  came  in  their  faces,  but  how  mourn- 
ful looked  everything  around ! The  castle  of  the  King  lay 
in  ruins;  the  towns  and  villages,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  were  burnt  to  the  ground ; the  fields  far  and  near 
were  laid  waste ; and  not  one  human  being  was  to  be  seen. 
Soon  the  opening  in  the  wall  was  so  large  that  they  could 
pass  through  it ; and  the  Maiden  first  jumping  out,  her 
Mistress  followed  her.  But  where  were  they  to  turn? 
Enemies  had  depopulated  the  whole  kingdom,  and  driven 
away  or  slain  the  King,  with  all  his  subjects.  The  pair 
therefore  wandered  on  and  on,  seeking  some  other  country; 
but  nowhere  could  they  find  a shelter,  or  any  man  to  give 
them  bread  to  eat,  and  their  hunger  compelled  them  to  eat 
the  burnt  roots  of  nettles. 

However,  after  much  weary  travelling,  they  did  at  last 
come  to  cultivated  land,  and  there,  at  every  house,  thej^ 
offered  their  services;  but  nobody  would  take  them  in,  or 
show  them  any  pity.  At  last  they  arrived  at  a large  city, 
and  went  to  the  King’s  palace ; but  there,  also,  they  were 
on  the  point  of  being  turned  back,  when  the  cook  told 
them  they  might  stop  and  serve  as  kitchenmaids  if  they 
liked. 

How  the  son  of  this  King  was  the  very  same  who  was 
betrothed  to  Jungfrau  Maleen,  and  his  father  had  engaged 
him  to  another  maiden,  who  was  as  wickedly  disposed  in 


408 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


her  heart  as  she  was  ugly  iu  her  looks.  When  the  two 
travellers  arrived,  the  wedding-day  had  been  already  ap- 
pointed, and  the  bride  was  come,  but  she  had  shut  herself 
up  in  her  room,  and  would  not  be  seen,  because  of  her 
ugliness,  and  Jungfrau  Maleen  was  ordered  to  take  in  her 
meals.  When  the  day  came  that  the  betrothed  couple 
should  go  to  church,  the  bride  elect  was  so  ashamed  of  her 
ugliness  that  she  feared  she  should  be  laughed  at,  and 
derided  by  the  common  people  if  she  showed  herself  to 
them.  So  she  said  to  Jungfrau  Maleen,  “A  great  piece  of 
luck  is  presented  to  you,  for  I have  hurt  my  foot  and  can- 
not walk  at  all  on  the  road;  so  you  shall  put  on  my  bridal 
clothes,  and  take  my  place  : a greater  honour  could  not 
have  fallen  to  your  share.” 

Jungfrau  Maleen,  however,  refused,  and  said,  “I  desire 
no  honour  that  does  not  belong  to  me and  she  would 
not  be  tempted  even  with  gold.  At  last  the  bride  elect 
exclaimed  passionately,  “ If  you  do  not  obey  me,  it  shall 
cost  you  your  life.  I have  only  to  say  one  word,  and  your 
head  will  lie  at  my  feet.” 

Jungfrau  Maleen  was  now  forced  to  comply,  and  she 
arraj'ed  herself  in  the  bridal  clothes  and  ornaments.  As 
soon  as  she  appeared  in  the  royal  apartments  all  were  as- 
tonished at  her  great  beauty,  and  the  King  told  his  son  she 
was  the  bride  whom  he  had  chosen  for  him,  and  it  was  time 
now  to  go  to  church.  The  Prince  was  astonished,  and 
thought  to  himself,  “She  looks  like  my  Jungfrau  Maleen, 
and  I almost  believe  it  is  she ; but  no ! she  is  dead,  or  shut 
up  in  the  tower.”  He  took  the  Maiden  by  the  hand,  and 
led  her  to  the  church,  and  on  the  road  they  passed  a nettle- 
bush,  whereupon  the  bride  sang  in  a strange  language — 

“ Nettle  bush  ! oh,  nettle  bush  ! 

Have  you  forgot  the  day 
When  I cooked  your  juicy  roots, 

My  hunger  sharp  to  stay  ?” 


J ungfrau  Male  ex  . 


409 


“What  did  you  say,  then?”  asked  the  Prince.  “No- 
thing! I was  only  thinking  of  Jungfrau  Maleen,”  replied 
the  seeming  bride.  He  marvelled  that  she  should  know 
her,  but  he  said  nothing ; and  when  they  came  to  the  church 
steps  she  sang — 

“ Church-steps ! break  not,  I pray, 

Tire  true  bride  comes  not  to-day.” 

“What  did  you  say?”  asked  the  Prince.  “Nothing,” 
she  replied,  as  before:  “I  was  but  thinking  of  Jungfrau 
Maleen.” 

“ Do  you  know  that  maiden,  then  ?”  asked  the  Prince.. 
“No,  how  should  I?  I have  only  heard  of  her,”  said  she; 
and  when  they  passed  through  the  church-door  she  sang — 

“ Church-door  ! crack  not,  I pray, 

The  true  bride  comes  not  to-day.” 

“What  did  you  say?”  asked  the  Prince  a third  time. 
“Alas!  I was  only  thinking  of  Jungfrau  Maleen,”  she  said. 
Then  he  drew  out  a costly  chain,  and  fastened  it  around 
her  neck;  and  thereupon  they  walked  into  the  church,  and 
the  priest,  joining  their  hands  together  at  the  altar,  mar- 
ried them  in  due  form.  The  ceremony  over,  the  bride- 
groom led  back  the  bride,  but  she  never  spoke  a single 
word  all  the  way  home.  As  soon  as  they  arrived  at  the 
palace,  she  hastened  into  the  bride’s  chamber,  and,  laying 
aside  her  beautiful  clothes  and  ornaments,  she  put  on  her 
grey  kirtle,  but  kept  the  chain  round  her  neck  which  she 
had  received  from  the  bridegroom. 

When  night  came,  and  it  was  time  for  the  bride  to  be 
ushered  into  the  bridegroom’s  chamber,  the  ugly  maiden  let 
fall  her  veil  over  her  features,  that  the  deceit  might  not 
be  discovered.  As  soon  as  they  were  alone,  the  bride- 
groom asked  her,  “ What  did  you  say  to  the  nettle-bush 
which  we  passed  on  the  road  ?” 

VOL.  II. — 18 


M M 


410 


Grimm's  Household  Stories. 


“To  what  nettle-bush?”  she  asked,  “I  spoke  to  no 
nettle-bush !” 

“ If  you  did  not,  you  are  not  my  real  Bride,”  said  he. 
Thereupon  she  left  the  room,  and  seeking  Jungfrau  Maleen, 
asked  her  what  she  had  said  to  the  nettle-bush.  She  sang 
the  words  over — 

“Nettle-bush,  oh  nettle-bush. 

Have  you  forgot  the  day 
“When  I cooked  your  juicy  roots, 

My  hunger  sharp  to  stay  ?” 

And  as  soon  as  she  had  done,  the  Bride  ran  back  to  the 
room  and  repeated  them  to  the  Prince.  “But  what  did 
you  say  to  the  church-steps  as  we  passed  up  them?”  he 
inquired.  “To  the  church-steps!”  she  echoed  in  surprise; 
“ I spoke  to  none.”  “ Then  you  are  not  the  right  Bride,” 
said  the  Bridegroom  again.  “ I will  go  and  ask  my  Maid 
what  my  thoughts  were,”  said  the  Bride ; and  seeking 
Jungfrau  Maleen,  she  inquired  of  her  what  she  had  said. 
The  Maid  repeated  the  words — 

“ Church-steps,  break  not,  I pray, 

The  true  Bride  comes  not  to-day.” 

“That  shall  cost  you  your  life!”  exclaimed  the  Bride; 
but,  hastening  back  to  the  chamber,  she  told  the  Prince 
the  words  which  she  had  just  heard.  “But  what  did 
you  say  to  the  church-door?”  he  inquired  next.  “To 
the  church-door !”  she  replied ; “ I spoke  to  no  church- 
door.” 

“ Then  you  are  not  the  right  Bride,”  said  the  Prince. 
Thereupon  away  she  went  a third  time  to  Jungfrau  Maleen, 
and  inquired  what  she  had  said.  The  Maid  repeated  the 
words — 

“ Church-door,  break  not,  I pray, 

The  true  Bride  comes  not  to-day.” 

“ Your  neck  shall  be  broken  for  saying  so,”  exclaimed  the 


Jungfrau  Maleen. 


411 


Bride  in  a rage ; but  hastening  back  to  the  chamber,  she 
repeated  the  words  she  had  just  heard  to  the  Bridegroom. 

“But  where  have  you  put  the  chain  I gave  you  at 
the  church-door  ?”  asked  the  Prince. 

“ What  chain  ? you  gave  me  no  chain  !”  exclaimed  the 
Bride.  “ But  I hung  it  round  your  neck  myself;  and  fast 
ened  it  myself ; and  if  you  do  not  remember  that,  you  are 
not  the  right  Bride.”  AYith  that  he  tore  the  veil  from  her 
face,  and  when  he  saw  her  extreme  ugliness,  he  exclaimed, 
springing  away  from  her,  “Who  are  you?  whence  come 
you  ?” 

“Iam  your  betrothed  Bride,”  she  replied;  “but  be- 
cause I feared  the  people  would  mock  me  if  I showed 
myself  to  them,  I ordered  our  Kitchen-Girl  to  put  on  my 
dresses,  and  to  go  to  church  in  my  place.” 

“ Where  is  the  Girl,  then,  now?  Go  and  fetch  her  im- 
mediately,” said  the  Prince. 

She  went  out  and  told  the  other  servants  that  the 
Kitchen-Girl  was  an  enchantress,  and  that  they  must  drag 
her  away  from  the  court  and  cut  off  her  head.  The  ser- 
vants soon  caught  the  Maiden,  and  would  have  done  as 
they  were  told ; but  she  cried  so  loudly  for  help,  that  the 
Prince  heard  her  voice,  and  hastening  out  of  his  room  gave 
orders  for  the  Maiden’s  instant  release.  Lights  were  im- 
mediately brought,  and  then  the  Prince  perceived  round 
the  Maiden’s  neck  the  golden  chain  which  he  had  given 
her  at  the  church-door. 

“ You  are  the  true  Bride  who  went  to  church  with  me,” 
he  exclaimed ; “ come  with  me  now.”  As  soon  as  they 
were  alone,  he  said  to  her,  “ On  the  way  to  church  you 
named  Jungfrau  Maleen,  who  was  once  betrothed  to  me. 
Kow,  if  I thought  it  possible,  I should  say  that  you  were 
that  Maiden,  for  you  are  so  like  to  her.” 

“I  am  Jungfrau  Maleen,”  she  replied,  “and  for  seven 
long  years  have  I been  shut  up  in  darkness ; hunger  and 


412 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


thirst,  too,  I have  suffered,  and  in  poverty  and  distress 
have  I lived  ever  since ; but  on  this  day  the  sun  shines 
again.  I did  indeed  accompany  you  to  church,  and  it  was 
to  me  that  you  were  married.” 

So  the  Prince  recovered  his  true  Bride,  Jungfrau 
Maleen,  and  with  her  lived  happily  for  many  long  years. 
But  the  false  Bride  had  her  head  cut  off. 


)>  |?  ■£  I f 

cxc. 

The  Boots  made  of  Buffalo-Leather. 


A SOLDIER  who  is  afraid  of  nothing,  cares  for  nothing. 

JSTow  such  an  one  had  received  his  discharge,  and  be- 
cause he  had  learnt  no  trade,  he  could  earn  no  money ; 
and  so  he  wandered  about  hither  and  thither,  begging  alms 
of  good  people.  Over  his  shoulders  hung  an  old  weather- 
proof cloak,  and  he  had  still  left  a pair  of  Buffalo-leather 
Boots.  One  day,  thus  equipped,  he  went  on  walking 
through  the  fields  without  attending  to  the  guide-posts, 
and  at  last  he  came  to  an  immense  forest.  He  did  not 
know  where  he  was,  but  he  saw  a man  sitting  upon  the 
trunk  of  a tree,  who  was  well  dressed  in  a green  hunts- 
man’s coat.  The  Soldier  held  out  his  hand  to  him,  and 
then  laying  himself  down  on  the  grass  stretched  out  his 
legs.  “I  see  you  have  a pair  of  fine  shining  boots  on,” 
said  he  to  the  Huntsman  ; “ but  if  you  had  to  walk  about 
as  much  as  I,  they  would  not  last  you  very  long.  Look  at 
mine ! they  are  made  of  Buffalo-leather,  and  although  they 
have  served  me  a long  time,  they  would  still  1 go  through 
thick  and  thin.’”  The  Huntsman  made  no  answer;  and 
after  a while  the  Soldier  got  up  and  said,  “ I can  stop  here 
no  longer ; hunger  urges  me  forward ; but  pray,  Brother 
Thin-Boots,  where  does  this  path  lead?”  “ I do  not  know 
myself,”  replied  the  Huntsman  ; “I  have  lost  myself  in  this 
forest.”  “Then  you  are  in  the  same  plight  as  I,”  returned 
the  Soldier ; “ like  and  like  please  one  another ; we  will 
remain  together  and  seek  the  way.”  The  Huntsman  only 
laughed,  but  they  set  out  together,  and  kept  on  till  night- 
fall. “We  shall  not  get  out  of  this  forest  to-night,”  ex- 
claimed the  Soldier  at  last ; “ but  I can  see  a light  glim- 


414 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


mering  in  the  distance,  where  they  will  give  us  something 
to  eat.”  It  was  a stone  cottage,  and  when  they  knocked 
at  the  door,  an  old  Woman  opened  it.  “We  are  seeking 
a night’s  lodging,”  said  the  Soldier  to  her,  “and  some  fod- 
der for  our  stomachs,  for»mine  is  as  empty  as  my  purse.” 

“You  cannot  stop  here,”  answered  the  old  Woman; 
“this  is  a robbers’  house,  and  you  will  be  wise  if  you  go 
away  before  they  return,  or  you  will  be  lost.” 

“ It  cannot  be  worse,”  said  the  Soldier;  “for  two  days 
I have  not  eaten  a morsel ; and  so  it  is  all  one  to  me 
whether  I perish  in  this  house  or  out  in  the  forest.  I shall 
come  in  and  risk  it !” 

The  Huntsman  did  not  wish  to  follow,  but  the  Soldier 
drawing  his  arm  within  his  own,  drew  him  in,  saying, 
“ Come,  comrade ; we  will  suffer  together !” 

“The  old  Woman  pitied  them,  and  told'them  to  creep 
behind  the  oven,  and  then  when  the  robbers  were  satisfied 
and  slept,  she  would  give  them  something  to  eat.  Scarcely 
had  they  hid  snugly  in  the  corner,  than  in  came  the  twelve 
robbers ; and  placing  themselves  round  the  table,  demanded 
their  supper  with  harsh  language.  The  old  Woman  soon 
brought  in  an  immense  dish  of  baked  meat,  and  the  rob- 
bers prepared  to  fall  to.  Soon  the  smell  of  the  savoury 
mess  ascended  the  Soldier’s  nose,  and  he  said  to  the  Hunts- 
man, “I  can  hold  out  no  longer,  I must  sit  down  at  the 
table  and  take  a share !”  “ You  will  lose  your  life !”  whis- 
pered the  Huntsman,  holding  him  fast  by  the  arm.  The 
Soldier  began  to  cough  loudly,  and  as  soon  as  the  robbers 
heard  this,  they  threw'  aside  their  knives  and  forks,  and 
rising  hastily  from  the  table  discovered  the  pair  behind  the 
oven.  “ Aha,  you  rascals !”  they  called;  “ wrhat  are  you 
sitting  there  in  that  corner  for?  Are  you  sent  as  spies? 
Just  wait  a bit  and  you  shall  learn  how  to  fly  on  a bare 
branch  !”  “ Oh  ! have  some  manners,  if  you  please  I”  re- 
turned the  Soldier;  “give  us  something  to- eat  first,  and 


The  Boots  made  of  Buffalo-Leather.  415 

afterwards  you  shall  do  what  you  like  with  us !”  The  rob- 
bers were  astonished  to  hear  such  bold  words,  and  the 
Captain  said ; “ Good ! I see  you  are  not  afraid  ; eat  you 
shall,  but  afterwards  you  shall  cjie.”  “ That  is  to  be  seen,” 
muttered  the  Soldier;  and  sitting  down  at  the  table,  he 
began  to  cut  and  eat  in  earnest.  “Brother  Thin-Boots,” 
he  exclaimed  to  the  Huntsman,  “come  and  eat;  you  are 
hungry  as  well  as  I,  and  a better  joint  than  this  you  could 
not  have  at  home.”  The  Huntsman  however  refused ; and 
the  robbers  looking  at  the  Soldier,  said  to  one  another, 
“ This  fellow  makes  no  ceremony.”  When  he  had  done 
eating,  he  asked  for  something  to  drink,  saying,  “Well! 
the  meat  was  good  enough  ; now  let  us  have  a good  draught 
of  wine.”  The  Captain  happened  to  be  in  a good  humour, 
and  so  he  told  the  old  Woman  to  fetch  a bottle  of  the  very 
best  wine  out  of  the  cellar.  When  it  was  brought,  the 
Soldier  drew  out  the  cork  so  that  it  made  a great  noise ; 
and  then  going  to  the  Huntsman  he  whispered  to  him, 
“Pay  attention,  my  brother,  and  you  shall  see  a grand 
wonder;  I will  now  drink  the  health  of  the  whole  com- 
pany!” So  saying,  he  swung  the  bottle  over  the  heads  of 
the  robbers,  at  the  same  time  shouting  out,  “You  shall  all 
live,  but  with  jmur  mouths  open  and  your  right  hands  up- 
lifted!” Scarcely  were  the  words  out  of  his  mouth,  than 
the  robbers  all  sat  motionless  as  if  they  were  made  of 
stone,  their*  mouths  open  and  their  right  arms  stretched 
out.  “I  see,”  said  the  Huntsman  to  the  Soldier,  “you  can 
do  any  other  trick  you  please;  but,  come  now,  let  us  go 
home.”  “ Oh  no.  Brother  Thin-Shoes  !”  replied  the  Soldier, 
“ that  were  too  early  to  march  away ; we  have  beaten  the 
enemy  and  now  we  must  take  the  booty.  Come  now,  eat 
and  drink  what  you  like.”  So  they  stopped  there  three 
days,  and  every  day  the  old  Woman  had  to  fetch  up  fresh 
wine.  The  fourth  day  the  Soldier  said  to  his  companion, 
“ It  is  time  now  to  break  the  spell,  but  that  we  may  have 


416 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


a short  march  the  old  Woman  shall  show  us  the  nearest 
road.” 

As  soon  as  they  arrived  at  the  town  the  Soldier  went  to 
his  old  comrades,  and  told  them  that  he  had  found  in  the 
forest  a nest  of  thieves,  and  if  they  wished  he  would  show 
them  where.  They  agreed  to  go,  and  the  Soldier  pur- 
suaded  the  Huntsman  to  accompany  him  again,  and  see 
how  the  robbers  behaved  when  they  were  caught.  So  first 
he  placed  the  soldiers  round  the  robbers  in  a circle,  and 
then  drinking  a draught  of  wine  out  of  the  bottle,  he 
swung  it  over  them  and  exclaimed,  “You  shall  all  live.” 
In  a moment  they  had  the  power  of  motion  again,  but  they 
were  soon  thrown  down  and  bound  hand  and  foot  with 
ropes.  Then  they  were  thrown  like  sacks  upon  a waggon, 
and  the  Soldier  bade  his  comrades  drive  it  away  to  the 
prison.  But  the  Huntsman,  taking  aside  one  of  the  soldiers, 
gave  him  a commission  and  sent  him  off  to  the  town. 
They  walked  on,  and  by-and-by,  as  they  approached  the 
town,  the  Soldier  perceived  an  immense  crowd  of  men 
rushing  out  at  the  gates,  hurraing  loudly  and  waving  green 
branches  of  trees  in  the  air.  Soon  he  saw  that  it  was  the 
body-guards  of  the  King  wrho  were  approaching  them;  and 
turning  to  the  Huntsman  he  asked,  “ What  does  this  mean?” 
“Do  you  not  know,”  he  replied,  “that  the  King  has  been 
absent  from  his  kingdom  for  a length  of  time?  To-day  he 
returns  and  these  are  coming  out  to  meet  him.”  “ But 
where  is  the  King?  I do  not  see  Yim,”  said  the  Soldier. 
“Here  he  is,”  answered  the  Huntsman;  “I  am  the  King, 
and  I caused  my  return  to  be  proclaimed.”  With  these 
words  he  opened  his  hunting-coat  and  showed  his  royal 
dress.  The  Soldier  was  frightened,  and  filling  on  his 
knees  he  begged  the  King’s  pardon  for  having  treated  him 
so  unceremoniously,  and  called  him  by  such  names.  The 
King,  however,  holding  out  his  hand,  said  to  him,  “ You 
are  a brave  Soldier,  and  have  saved  my  life ; you  shall  en- 


The  Boots  hade  of  Buffalo-Leather.  417 

dure  poverty  no  longer ; I will  care  for  you,  and  if  at  any 
time  you  need  a piece  of  meat  as  good  as  we  had  in  the 
robber-house,  come  to  my  palace  and  dine  with  me.  But 
before  you  drink  healths,  you  must  ask  my  permission.” 


VOL.  II  - — 18* 


CXCI. 


Joseph  in  the  Forest. 


nPHERE  was  once  upon  a time  a Mother  who  had  three 
Daughters,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  stupid  and  bad- 
tempered  ; the  second,  however,  was  much  better,  though 
she,  too,  had  her  faults;  but  the  youngest  was  a pious, 
good  child.  The  Mother  was  odd  in  her  tastes,  for  she  loved 
the  eldest  the  most,  and  could  not  endure  her  youngest 
Daughter;  and  therefore  she  often  sent  the  poor  girl  out 
into  the  forest,  where  she  hoped  to  be  rid  from  her,  hoping 
that  she  would  wander  about  so  as  to  lose  herself.  Her 
guardian  angel,  however,  (and  such  an  one  watches  over 
every  good  child,)  did  not  forsake  her,  but  led  her  always 
along  the  right  road.  Once  the  angel  seemed  to  have  for- 
saken her,  and  the  Child  wandered  on  by  herself.  She 
walked  on  till  evening,  and  then  saw  a light  burning  in  the 
distance.  She  went  up  to  it,  and  found  a little  cottage, 
and  knocking  at  the  door  it  opened,  and  she  came  to  a 
second  door,  where  she  knocked  again.  An  old  man,  with 
a snow-white  beard  and  a venerable  countenance,  opened 
it,  and  he  was  no  other  than  St.  Joseph.  In  a friendly 
voice  he  said,  <(Come  in,  dear  Child;  sit  down  on  my  stool 
by  the  fire  and  warm  yourself ; I will  fetch  }'Ou  some  clear 
water  if  you  are  thirsty,  but  I have  nothing  for  you  to  eat 
but  a couple  of  roots,  and  those  you  must  scrape  and  cook 
for  yourself.”  With  these  words  St.  Joseph  handed  her  the 
roots,  and  carefully  peeling  them,  she  took  up  a small 


Joseph  in’  the  Forest. 


419 


saucepan  and  put  them  in.  Then  she  added  to  them  some 
water  and  the  bread  which  her  Mother  had  given  her,  and 
put  them  over  the  fire  till  they  were  boiled  down  to  a soup. 
When  it  was  done,  St.  Joseph  said,  “I  am  so  hungry,  give 
me  some  of  your  broth  to  eat.”  This  the  Girl  very  willingly 
did,  and  gave  him  more  than  she  took  for  herself.  Still, 
however,  with  God’s  blessing,  she  had  quite  sufficient.  As 
soon  as  they  had  finished  their  supper,  St.  Joseph  said,  “It 
is  time  now  to  go  to  bed,  but  as  I have  only  one  bed,  do 
you  lie  down  in  that,  and  I will  make  my  bed  of  straw.” 
“ Flo,  no,”  she  replied ; “ keep  you  your  own  bed,  the  straw 
is  tender  enough  for  me.”  St.  Joseph,  however,  would 
carry  her  to  the  bed,  and  there  laying  her  down,  she  went 
to  sleep  as  soon  as  she  had  said  her  prayers.  The  next 
morning,  when  she  awoke,  she  would  have  said,  “ Good 
morning !”  to  St.  Joseph,  but  she  could  nowhere  see  him. 
She  arose  and  looked  for  him,  but  she  could  not  find  him 
in  any  corner ; and  while  she  searched  she  perceived  hang- 
ing behind  the  door  a sack  full  of  money,  on  which  it  was 
written  that  it  was  for  the  Maiden  who  had  slept  there  that 
night.  She  took  the  sack,  and  jumping  merrily  along 
under  its  weight,  took  it  to  her  Mother,  who  was  obliged 
for  once  to  be  satisfied  with  her  youngest  Daughter. 

The  following  day  the  second  Daughter  also  took  a fancy 
to  go  into  the  forest,  and  her  Mother  gave  her  a much 
larger  pancake  and  a piece  of  bread.  It  happened  to  her 
the  same  as  it  had  done  to  her  Sister.  Towards  evening 
she  came  to  the  cottage  where  St.  Joseph  lived,  and  he  told 
her  to  make  herself  some  soup.  As  soon  as  it  was  ready 
he  said  as  before,  “I  pray  you  give  me  some  of  that  to  eat, 
for  I am  so  hungry.”  The  child  told  him  to  eat  with  her; 
and  when  afterwards  he  proposed  to  give  her  his  bed  and 
lie  himself  on  the  straw,  she  said  to  him,  “ Share  the  bed  with 
me,  there  is  room  enough  for  us  both  !”  But  St.  Joseph 
laid  her  down  in  the  bed  by  herself  and  slept  on  the  straw, 


420 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


and  by  the  next  morning,  when  she  awoke,  he  had  disap- 
peared. Behind  the  door  she  found  a small  bag  of  gold, 
as  long  as  her  hand,  and  on  it  was  written  that  it  was  for 
the  Maiden  who  had  slept  there  that  night.  She  took  the 
bag  and  hastened  home  to  her  Mother,  but  she  kept  secretly 
two  pieces  of  the  gold  for  herself. 

How,  the  eldest  Sister  became  covetous,  and  the  next 
morning  she  prepared  to  go  to  the  forest.  Her  Mother  gave 
her  several  pancakes,  as  many  as  she  liked,  and  not  only 
bread,  but  cheese.  About  evening  she  arrived,  like  her 
Sisters,  at  the  cottage  of  St.  Joseph,  and  found  him  there.  She 
was  also  bidden  to  cook  her  soup,  and  when  it  was  ready  St. 
Joseph  said,  “ I am  so  hungry,  give  me  some  of  your  soup 
to  eat.”  But  the  Maiden  replied,  “ Wait  until  I am  satis- 
fied, and  then  what  I leave  you  shall  have.”  So  she  went 
on  eating  till  she  had  nearly  finished,  and  St.  Joseph  had 
only  the  scrapings  of  the  basin.  The  good  old  man,  how- 
ever, offered  her  his  bed,  and  said  he  would  lie  on  the 
straw,  and  this  kindness  she  took  as  if  it  were  her  due,  and 
she  let  the  Holy  Joseph  lie  down  on  his  hard  couch.  The 
next  morning,  when  she  awoke,  he  had  disappeared,  but 
she  cared  nothing  about  that,  and  thought  only  of  the  bag 
of  gold,  which  she  expected  to  find  behind  the  door.  She 
certainly  did  see  something  lying  there,  but  because  she 
could  not  exactly  tell  what  it  was,  she  bent  herself  down  so 
that  her  nose  touched  it.  It  stuck  to  her  nose,  and  when  she 
stood  up  and  looked  at  herself  she  found  to  her  terror  that 
it  was  a second  nose  growing  from  the  first ! She  began  to 
howl  and  shriek,  but  to  what  purpose  ? she  could  not  help 
seeing  her  nose,  because  it  was  so  long.  She  ran  out  of  the 
house  with  a loud  cry,  and  ran  on  till  she  met  St.  Joseph, 
and  as  soon  as  she  saw  him  she  fell  down  on  her  knees  and 
begged  him  to  take  away  the  second  nose.  Out  of  pity  for 
her,  he  did  at  last  remove  it  and  gave  her  two  pennies.  As 
soon  as  she  reached  home  her  Mother  met  her  at  the  door, 


Joseph  in  the  Forest. 


421 


and  asked  her  what  she  had  received.  She  told  a lie,  and 
answered,  “ A great  sack  full  of  money,  but  I lost  it  on 
the  way.”  “ Lost  it !”  repeated  the  Mother,  “then  let  us 
look  for  it  again and  catching  her  Daughter’s  hand,  she 
dragged  her  back  to  search.  At  first  she  wept  and  would 
not  go,  but  at  length  she  consented  and  on  they  went.  At 
every  step  they  took,  snakes  and  lizards  started  up,  so 
many  that  they  could  not  guard  them  off;  and  soon  one 
stuck  its  fang  into  the  breast  of  the  Daughter  and  she  fell 
dead,  and  then  another  pierced  the  foot  of  the  Mother  be- 
cause she  had  not  brought  her  Child  up  better. 


X X 


CXCII. 


Humility  and  Poverty  lead  to 


ISTCE  upon  a time  there  was  a King’s  Son,  who  went 


out  into  the  fields  sad  and  thoughtful.  He  looked  up 
at  the  sky,  which  was  so  beautifully  blue  and  clear,  and 
said  with  a sigh,  “ Ah  ! how  happy  must  they  be  who  are 
in  heaven.”  At  the  same  moment  he  perceived  a grey  old 
Man,  who  was  walking  the  same  way,  and  he  asked  him 
the  question  how  he  could  go  to  heaven.  “ Through 
humility  and  poverty,”  answered  the  old  Man.  “ Put  on 
my  old  clothes,  and  wander  about  the  world  for  seven 
years  to  learn  what  misery  is : take  no  money  with  you, 
but  when  you  are  hungry,  beg  a piece  of  bread  of  chari- 
table people,  and  thus  you  will  approach  gradually  the 
gate  of  heaven.” 

Thus  advised,  the  Prince  drew  off  his  fine  clothing,  and 
putting  on  instead  the  Beggar’s  rags,  he  wejit  forth  into  the 
world,  and  endured  much  misery.  He  took  only  the 
scantiest  meals,  spoke  never  a word,  but  prayed  daily  to 
God,  to  take  him,  if  he  pleased,  to  Heaven.  When  -seven 
years  had  passed,  he  returned  to  his  father’s  house,  but  no- 
body recognised  him.  He  told  the  servants  to  go  and  tell 
his  parents  that  he  was  returned ; but  the  servants  would 
not  believe  him,  and  only  laughed  at  his  pretensions. 
“Then  go  and  tell  my  brothers,”  said  he,  “that  they  may 
come  to  me,  for  I should  like  to  see  them  once  again.” 
This  request  they  also  refused;  but  at  length  one  went  and 
told  the  King’s  children,  but  they  troubled  not  their  heads 
about  it.  Then  he  wrote  a letter  to  his  mother,  and  de- 
picted all  his  misery,  but  said  nothing  about  his  being  her 


Heaven. 


Humility  and  Poverty  lead  to  Heaven.  423 


son.  The  Queen  pitying  his  misfortunes,  caused  a place 
to  be  made  for  him  below  the  staircase,  and  there  two  ser- 
vants daily  had  to  bring  him  food.  But  one  of'them  was 
wicked  at  heart,  and  asked,  “What  shall  the  Beggar  do 
with  good  food?”  and  so  he  kept  it  for  himself,  or  gave  it 
to  the  dogs,  while  he  took  the  poor  weak,  half-starved 
Prince  nothing  but  water.  The  other  servant,  however, 
was  honest,  and  took  him  daily  what  he  received  for  him. 
It  was  only  a little,  but  still  enough  to  sustain  life  for  a 
long  while ; and  with  it  he  was  quite  content,  though  he 
grew  weaker  and  weaker.  But  when  his  illness  increased, 
he  desired  to  receive  the  last  rites  of  the  church,  and  while 
the  service  was  performing,  all  at  once  every  bell  in  the  city 
and  the  country  round  tolled.  As  soon  as  the  service  was 
over,  the  Priest  went  to  the  poor  Beggar,  and  found  him 
lying  dead,  holding  in  one  hand  a rose,  and  in  the  other  a 
lily ; and  near  him  lay  a paper  whereon  was  written  his 


And  after  he  was  buried,  there  grew  on  one  side  of  his 
grave  a rose,  and  on  the  other  a lily. 


CXCIII. 


The  Three  Green  Twigs. 


YANCE  upon  a time  there  lived  a Hermit  at  the  foot  of 
a mountain  near  the  forest,  who  spent  his  time  in 
prayer  and  good  works,  and  each  evening  he  carried  up 
the  hill  a pail  of  water  as  an  act  of  penitence.  Many  a 
beast  refreshed  himself  from  this  pail,  and  many  a flower 
also  was  revived,  for  on  the  height  blew  continually  a hot 
wind,  which  dried  the  air  and  the  earth.  The  wild  fowls 
also  who  avoided  human  beings  would  circle  down  near 
the  water  and  dip  their  long  beaks  into  it.  And  because 
the  Hermit  was  so  pious,  unseen  an  Angel  always  accom- 
panied him  up  the  hill,  counting  his  steps,  and  bringing 
him,  when  the  work  was  done,  a meal,  like  as  was  done  to 
that  Prophet  who,  at  God’s  command,  was  fed  by  the  ravens. 
Thus  the  Hermit  grew  older  and  more  pious  every  day ; 
and  once  it  happened  that  as  he  ascen.ded  the  hill,  he  saw 
at  a distance  a poor  sinner  led  to  the  gallows.  As  he 
looked  he  said,  “Now  is  he  judged  rightly!”  and  as  soon  as 
he  had  so  said  the  Angel  left  him  and  brought  him  no  food 
that  evening.  He  grew  frightened,  and  tried  in  his  heart 
to  think  how  he  had  offended  God ; but  he  could  remem- 
ber nothing.  He  ceased  to  eat  or  drink,  and,  throwing 
himself  on  the  earth,  prayed  all  day  and  night  long. 
Once,  as  he  was  bitterly  weeping  in  the  forest,  he  heard  a 
little  Bird  singing  clearly  and  beautifully,  and  the  sound  so 
disturbed  him  that  he  exclaimed,  “Alas!  you  sing  merrily, 
because  you  are  happy ; but  I would  that  you  could  tell 
me  wherein  I have  offended  God  that  I might  do  penance, 
and  so  my  heart  become  glad  again !”  Presently  the  Bird 
spoke,  “You  did  wrong,  because  you  condemned  a poor 


The  Three  Green  Twigs. 


425 


criminal  whom  you  saw  led  to  the  gallows,  and  therefore 
was  God  angry,  because  to  him  alone  belongs  the  right  of 
judgment.  Still,  if  you  are  penitent  and  confess  jrnur 
sins,  God  will  yet  pardon  you.”  At  the  moment  the  Bird 
finished  speaking  the  Angel  stood  once  more  beside  the 
Hermit,  and  giving  a withered  branch,  said  to  him,  “You 
shall  carry  this  till  Three  Green  Twigs  spring  from  it  ; 
and  at  night  when  you  sleep  you  must  always  place  it  be- 
neath your  head.  Your  bread  you  must  beg  from  door  to 
door,  and  you  must  not  remain  in  any  house  more  than 
one  night.  This  is  the  penance  which  God  imposes  on 
you.” 

So  the  Hermit  took  the  dry  branch  and  went  back  to 
the  world  which  he  had  not  seen  for  so  long.  He  ate  and 
drank  nothin 2;  but  what  was  mven  to  him  at  the  door  of 
charitable  people,  although  at  many  houses  his  prayer  was 
refused,  and  many  a door  was  shut  against  him,  and  thus 
he  often  passed  whole  days  without  a crumb  of  bread.  One 
day  he  had  thus  passed,  door  after  door  was  shut  against 
him,  and  nobody  would  give  him  anything,  or  shelter  him 
for  the  night;  so  he  went  into  the  wood  and  found  a 
tumble-down  cottage,  in  which  an  old  Woman  was  sitting. 
He  went  in  and  said  to  her,  “ Pray  shelter  me  this  night, 
my  good  woman.”  She  replied,  “ No,  I dare  not,  even  if 
I would ; I have  three  sons,  wild  and  wicked,  who,  if  they 
come  home  from  their  plundering  and  find  you  here,  will 
kill  us  both.”  “Let  me  stop,  nevertheless,”  entreated  the 
Hermit;  “thejr  will  do  nothing  to  either  you  or  me.”  So 
the  old  Woman  took  compassion  on  him,  and  bade  him  sit 
down.  He  laid  himself  down  in  a corner  with  the  dry 
branch  under  his  head,  and  when  the  old  Woman  observed 
this  she  inquired  the  reason,  and  he  told  her  that  he  carried 
it  as  a penance,  and  was  forced  to  use  it  every  night  for  his 
pillow.  “I  have  offended  God,”  he  said,  “because,  when 
I saw  a poor  criminal  led  to  the  gallows,  I said  that  justice 


426 


Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 


was  done  to  him.  The  old  Woman  began  to  weep  bitterly 
as  he  finished  his  tale,  and  exclaimed,  “Alas!  if  God  so 
punishes  for  a single  word!  how  will  he  judge  my  sons 
when  they  appear  before  him  !” 

At  midnight  the  Eobbers  came  home  shouting  and 
laughing.  They  lighted  a fire,  and  as  the  blaze  lit  up  the 
cottage  they  saw  the  old  Man  lying  in  one  corner.  In  a 
rage  they  started  up  and  asked  their  Mother,  “ Who  is 
this  man  ? Have  we  not  forbidden  you  ever  to  allow  any 
one  to  enter  our  house  ?” 

“ Let  him  be,  he  is  only  a poor  sinner  doing  penance 
for  his  sins,”  pleaded  the  Mother.  “ What  has  he  done  ?” 
asked  the  Bobbers  ; and  turning  to  the  old  Man  they  said, 
“ Tell  us  your  crimes.”  So  the  Hermit  lifted  himself  up, 
and  related  how  he  had  sinned  by  saying  a few  words,  for 
which  God  was  very  angry  with  him,  and  had  made  him 
do  penance.  As  he  finished  his  tale  the  hearts  of  the  Three 
Brothers  were  powerfully  affected,  and  they  were  so  fright- 
ened with  the  remembrance  of  their  daily  lives  that  they 
began  to  repent  with  heartfelt  sorrow.  Meanwhile,  the 
old  Hermit  having  thus  turned  the  three  sinners  from  their 
evil  ways,  laid  down  to  sleep.  In  the  morning  he  was 
found  dead,  and  from  the  dry  branch  which  formed  his 
pillow  Three  Green  Twigs  had  burst  forth. 

And  by  this  it  was  known  that  God  had  fully  pardoned 
him. 


CXCIV. 


The  Old  Widow. 


TIST  a certain  large  town  there  once  lived  an  Old  Widow, 
who  sat  every  evening  alone  in  her  room,  thinking  how, 
one  by  one,  she  had  lost  and  buried  her  husband,  her  two 
sons,  and  all  her  relations  and  friends,  so  that  now  she  was 
quite  alone  in  the  world.  Her  heart  grew  very  sorrowful 
with  these  thoughts ; but  the  loss  of  her  two  sons  troubled 
her  the  most,  and  she  wept  for  them  very  bitterly.  She 
sat  quite  still,  lost  in  thought,  and  all  at  once  she  heard  the 
bell  ringing  for  early  prayers  in  the  church.  She  won- 
dered how  she  could  have  passed  all  the  night  in  sorrow- 
ing ; but  lighting  her  lantern  she  went  to  the  church.  As 
she  entered  she  saw  it  was  already  lit  up ; but  not  as  usual 
with  tapers,  but  a glimmering  light  shone  through  the  whole 
building.  It  was  already  filled  with  worshippers,  and  every 
• seat  was  occupied,  so  that  when  the  Poor  Widow  went  to 
her  accustomed  place,  she  found  it  already  filled.  As  she 
looked  round  at  the  people,  she  perceived  that  they  were 
her  deceased  relations,  who  sat  there  in  their  old  every-day 
dresses ; but  with  pale  countenances.  They  neither  spoke 
nor  sang,  but  a gentle  whisper  and  hum  floated  through 
the  church.  Presently  an  Aunt  of  the  Poor  Widow  got 
up  and  said  to  her,  “ Look  towards  the  altar,  and  you  will 
see  your  two  sons.”  She  looked  and  saw  her  two  children, 
the  one  hanging  on  the  gallows,  and  the  other  broken  on 
the  wheel.  “ See,”  continued  the  Aunt,  “thus  would  it  have 
happened  to  them,  had  life  been  given  to  them,  instead  of 
their  being  mercifully  taken  by  God  when  they  were  in- 
nocent children.”  With  trembling  steps  the  Old  Widow 


428  Grimm’s  Household  Stories. 

went  home,  and  on  her  knees  thanked  God  that  he  had 
dealt  so  much  better  with  her  than  her  heart  had  ima- 
gined. But  on  the  third  day  she  laid  down  on  her  bed 
and  died. 


CXCV. 


The  Golden  Key. 


ONE  winter,  when  a deep  snow  was  lying  on  the  ground 
a poor  Boy  had  to  go  out  in  a sledge  to  fetch  wood. 
As  soon  as  he  had  collected  together  a sufficient  quantity, 
he  thought  that  before  he  returned  home  he  would  make  a 
fire  to  warm  himself  at,  because  his  limbs  were  so  frozen. 
So  sweeping  the  snow  away  he  made  a clear  space,  and 
presently  found  a small  gold  key.  As  soon  as  he  picked  it 
up,  he  began  to  think  that  where  there  was  a key  there 
must  also  be  a lock  ; and  digging  in  the  earth  he  found  a 
small  iron  chest.  “ I hope  the  key  will  fit,”  thought  he  to 
himself ; “ there  are  certainly  great  treasures  in  this  box  !” 
He  looked  all  over  it,  but  could  not  find  any  key-hole ; till 
at  last  he  did  discover  one,  which  was,  however,  so  small, 
that  it  could  scarcely  be  seen.  He  tried  the  key,  and  be- 
hold! it  fitted  exactly.  Then  he  turned  it  once  round, 
and  now  we  must  wait  until  he  has  quite  unlocked  it,  and 
lifted  the  lid  up,  and  then  we  shall  learn  what  wonderful 
treasures  were  in  the  chest ! 


CXCVI. 


The  Rose. 


r I "'HERE  was  once  a poor  Woman  who  had  two  Children, 
and  the  youngest  went  every  day  into  the  forest  to 
fetch  wood.  Once,  when  it  had  strayed  far  away,  looking 
for  branches,  a little,  but  strong  and  healthy  Child  came  to 
it  and  helped  it  to  pick  up  wood,  and  carried  the  bundles 
up  to  the  house ; but  then  in  less  than  a moment  he  was 
gone.  The  Child  told  its  Mother  of  this ; but  she  would 
not  believe  it.  At  last  the  Child  brought  home  a Eose, 
and  told  its  Mother  that  the  beautiful  Child  had  given  it, 
and  had  said  that  when  the  Eose  was  in  full  bloom  then  he 
would  come  again.  The  Mother  put  the  Eose  into  water. 
One  morning  the  Child  did  not  get  out  of  bed,  and  the 
Mother  went  to  it  and  found  it  dead ; but  it  lay  looking 
quite  happy  and  pleased,  and  the  Eose  that  same  morning 
was  in  full  bloom. 


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THE  ARABIAN  NIGHTS’  ENTERTAINMENTS 

OR,  THE  THOUSAND  AND  ONE  NIGHTS.  Anew  Edition, 
carefully  revised  and  corrected  ; with  an  Explanatory  and  Histo- 
rical Introduction ; and  many  additions,  amendments,  and  illus- 
trative Notes.  Illustrated  with  numerous  Engravings.  3 vols. 

u The  best  edition  of  this  most  popular  of 1 story  books  ’ ever  published  in  this 
country.” — Tribune. 

" Lord  Byron,  to  the  end  of  his  days,  declared  that  no  dish  was  so  palatable  to 
him  as  the  homely  one  of  bacon  and  greens — and  why?  because  he  had  eaten  of  it  in 
his  youth,  and  the  days  of  his  youth  came  back  with  the  savory  gusto  of  the  food 
that  had  pleased  his  fresh  and  eager  taste.  If  the  Arabian  Nights  had  no  other 
elaim,  we  might  set  up  a similar  one  for  this  new  edition  of  so  old  a friend  ; but  the 
delight  with  which  new  readers  seize  upon  the  fascinating  tissue,  is  no  whit  less  than 
that  which  enchains  a circle  of  Arabs  as  they  sit  round  their  6re  in  the  desert,  for- 
getting the  toils  and  hardships  of  the  day  in  the  splendid  creations  of  Oriental 
fancy.  Stories  of  Genii  and  Afrites,  enchanted-  horses,  and  women  whose  beauty 
causes  the  beholder  to  faint  away;  are  as  easy  to  believe  as  ever,  and  possess  a power 
over  the  imagination  which  will  last  as  long  as  human  nature.  The  present  editio.n 
is  of  the  translation  of  Rev.  Edward  Forster,  with  various  notes  and  amendments 
from  Lane  and  others,  and  an  explanatory  and  historical  introduction,  in  which  are 
embodied  many  curious  and  interesting  particulars.  We  ought  further  to  mention, 
that  the  good  taste  of  the  translator  and  editors,  has  prompted  them  to  alter  certain 
passages  which,  without  adding  to  the  value  of  the  work  in  any  one's  estimation, 
were  considered  as  blemishes  by  the  refined  reader  of  the  present  day.  The  work  is 
elegantly  done,  and  we  doubt  not  will  prove  highly  acceptable,  as  supplying  a want 
long  felt  here.” — Inquirer. 

“ This  is  a most  beautiful  edition  of  a work,  which  has  given  perhaps  as  much 
pleasure,  as  any  that  ever  was  penned  We  shall  never  furget  the  joy, 
mingled  with  wonder,  with  which  we  pored  over  its  pages  in  our  boyhood;  and 
though  some  persons  object  to  such  reading  for  children,  we  do  not,  because  we  are 
not  conscious  of  ever  having  received  the  least  injury  from  it  ourselves.  We  are 
fearful  that  the  proscription  of  such  works,  and  the  substitution  of  those  of  a more 
practical  character  for  young  people,  would  be  somewhat  injurious  to  the  finer  and 
more  imaginative  portion  of  the  mind.  A blending  of  the  two  classes  seems  to  us 
better  than  a prohibition  of  either.  The  present  edition  is  admirably  adapted  for 
young  eyes,  the  type  being  large  and  clear,  and  the  text  illustrated  by  plates.” — Sat. 
Post. 

11 A convenient  and  handsome  edition  of  this  most  popular  specimen  of  romantic  " 
fiction  has  long  been  a desideratum.  There  are  very  expensive  English  illustrated 
1 Arabian  Nights,’  and  very  cheap,  badly  printed  American  ones;  but  any  between 
the  two,  combining  economy  with  elegance,  were  not  obtainable  until  the  present 
issue.  The  publishers  have  met  a decided  want,  and  in  a very  judicious  style.  It  is 
a translation  by  Rev.  Edward  Forster;  there  is  a valuable  explanatory  and  histo- 
rical introduction,  by  G.  M.  Bussey — the  whole  revised,  and  additions,  and  illustra- 
tive notes,  adopted  from  Lane’s  excellent  work.  The  volumes  are  embellished  with 
twenty  large  engravings,  from  designs  by  De  Moraine,  and  many  small  wood  cuts. 
It  is  very  neatly  printed,  and  sold  at  the  low  rate  of  three  shillings  a part.” — Home 
Journal. 

“Messrs.  Francis  & Co.  have  commenced  the  republication  of  this  famous 
story-book,  which  can  hardly  fail  to  secure  as  general  favor  at  the  present  day,  as 
former  editions  have  met  with  from  former  generations.  In  addition  to  the  attrac- 
tion of  the  book  itself— and  who  that  has  once  read  the  ‘delightful  stories.’  which  the 
Princess  iShehrazade  ‘sowell  knew,7  but  retains  most  agreeable  reminiscences  of 
them — there  is,  in  the  present  edition,  an  elaborate  explanatory  and  historical  in- 
troduction, together  with  numerous  illustrations,  both  large  and  small,  which  add 
not  a little  to  the  effect  of  the  story.  For  Young  America — that  portion  at  least 
which  is  so  far  free  from  the  influence  of  modern  ‘progress’  as  to  take  delight  in 
what  delighted  their  fathers  and  grandfathers  before  them — no  publication  of  the 
present,  day  will  have  greater  charms  than  this  new  edition  of  the  world-famous 
Arabian  Nights’ Entertainments.” — N.  Y.  Gazette . 


PUBLISHED  BY  C.  S.  FRANCIS  <fc  CO.,  NEW- YORK. 


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RAINBOWS  FOR  CHILDREN. 


EDITED  BY  L.  MARIA  CHILD. 


A.  beautiful  volume  of  original  Fairy  Tales,  illustrated  with  twenty- 
eight  Engravings,  in  the  best  style,  from  original  desigus.  by  Ameri- 
can artists.  Handsomely  printed  and  bound,  and  just  the  book  for 


a charming  Christmas  present. 
Fiamma;  or  the  Vase  of  Golden 
Water. 

The  Crystal  Palace. 

Violet’s  May-Day. 

Bright  Sunshine. 

The  Little  Voyagers. 


It  contains  the  following  stones  : 
Gertrude’s  Search  ; or  Fairy 
Music. 

Fanny’s  Menagerie. 

The  Rainbow-Winged  Spirit. 
Rose  Island. 


These  sweet  little  fairy  stories  have,  beyond  mere  present  delight,  the  further 
hi  tent  to  lay  the  foundation  of  that  something  better,  on  which  we  must  depend  for 
the  sunshine  of  life  after  fairy  days  are  gone.  They  are  full  of  a sweet  spirit;  of  a 
delicatelj' hinted  good  purpose;  of  Christian  sentiments,  and  cheerful  wisdom. 
They  are  told  with  much  elegance,  and  in  the  purest  Saxon  English.  We  may  say 
at  a venture,  that  there  is  not  a difficult  word  in  the  whole  book.  Mrs.  Child’s 
spiriting  has  been  done  not  only  gently,  but  effectually.  We  can  see  her  every- 
where. She  says  she  wishes  she  had  written  the  stories*  we  say  they  are  just  such 
as  she  could  write  The  reader  will  agree  with  us  when  we  tell  him  what  she  says 
in  the  preface.  “In  ‘Fiamma;  or  the  Vase  of  Golden  Water,’ eyesight  is  restored 
at  home,  by  first  carrying  a web  of  light  all  arouud  the  world.  In  the  ‘Crystal 
Palace,’  whoever  hopefully  plants  flowers,  or  tenderly  feeds  birds,  helps  some  other 
soul,  who,  through  tangled  woods,  is  seeking  for  the  Palace.  Little  Gertrude  finds 
no  joy  while  she  is  roaming  about  merely  to  amuse  herself;  but  when  she  keeps 
diligently  at  work,  the  spinning-wheel  becomes  musical;  and  when  she  persuades 
all  the  people  to  do  their  share  of  the  spinning,  there  remain  no  poor  women  shut 
up  in  dark  huts,  and  sentenced  to  perpetual  toil.  Thus  does  the  spirit  of  hopeful 
progress  diffuse  itself  through  all  departments  of  literature,  and  even  the  Fairy- 
wand  points  to  a happier  state  of  society.” — Mrs.  Kirkland1  s Union  Magazine. 


THE  CHILD’S  FAIRY  LIBRARY; 

Consisting  of  Bight  distinct  volumes:  containing  a very  Choice 
Collection  of  Fairy  Tales.  Illustrated  with  a large  number  of 
Engravings,  which  may  be  had  either  coloured  or  plain. 

1 Fairy  Gift.  5 Fairt  Gem. 

2 Fairy  Book.  6 Fairy  Entertainment. 

3 Fairy  Amusement.  7 Fairy  Tales. 

4 Fairy  Stories.  8 Fairy  Present. 

**  In  these  days  of  knowledge-cramming,  lively  fictions  that  awaken  the  imagina- 
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school-  room.'’ — Sp  ectator. 

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“ Books  full  of  attractive  tales,  and  very  prettily  embellished.” — Times. 


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26 


/ 


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THE  LIFE  AMS  EARLY  ADVENTURES 

OF 


PUBLISHED  BY  C.  S.  FRANCIS  & CO.,  NEW  YORK. 


Chap.  I. — An  Account  of  my  Family  and  Early  Life. — 1 neglect  the  Precepts  of 
my  Father,  and  listen  to  an  Evil  Counsellor. 

Chap.  II. — Why  I went  to  Sea. — I suffer  in  consequence  of  acting  upon  the 
Advice  of  an  Evil  Counsellor. — I find  that  it  is  easier  to  make  a False  Step  than 
to  retrace  it. 

Chap.  III. — I visit  Liverpool,  and  gain  some  insight  into  the  Ways  of  the 
World. — Am  introduced  to  the  Master  of  the  Black  Swan. 

Chap.  IV. — I go  on  board  the  Black  Swan,  and  offer  to  make  myself  useful : 
but  my  Services  are  not  appreciated. — I meet  Silas  Flint,  and  make  the  Acquaint- 
ance of  some  Emigrants. — I discover  that  there  are  others  worse  off  than  myself. 

Chap.  V.— My  first  experience  of  a Sea  Life. — The  embarkation  of  Emigrants 
for  North  America.— The  First  Mate  reminds  me  that  I offered  to  make  myself  use- 
ful.— Description  of  a North  American  Emigrant  Ship.— We  sail,  and  I go  aloft 
for  the  first  time. — Dick  Derrick’s  advice  and  instruction. 

Chap.  VI.— Flint  shows  he  has  not  forgotteu  me. — My  first  introduction  to  Ice, 
of  which  I am  destined  to  see  much  more. — A Foundering  Ship. 

Chap.  VII.— I claim  ray  Rights  but  do  not  get  them  acknowledged. — Am  treat- 
ed as  a Mutineer. — A Friend  in  Need. — l discover  that  there  are  other  things  to 
be  guarded  against  besides  Rocks,  and  Shoals,  and  Icebergs. — A Ship  on  Fire. 

Chap.  VIII. — Consequences  of  the  Want  of  Discipline. — Our  Captain  deserts 
us. — Many  trust  themselves  on  rafts. — Courage  and  Coolness  of  our  Second  Mate. 

Chap.  IX. — I obtain  a Proof  that  the  Gentle  and  Humane  are  generally  brave 
in  the  Hour  of  Danger. — A true  Sailor  will  not  desert  his  Ship  till  the*  last. — 
Silas  tempts  me  to  go  away  on  the  Raft. — Aid  comes  when  Hope  has  almost  de- 
parted.— A few  are  saved,  but  a bitter  Disappointment  awaits  the  rest. — A storm 
comes  on,  and  we  lose  sight  of  the  Mary’s  Light. 

Chap.  X.— We  once  more  see  the  Mary. — Our  Hopes  of  Preservation  are  agaiPi 
disappointed. — The  Fire  is  extinguished  by  its  more  powerful  Rival. 

Chap.  XI. — Captain  Dean  and  his  Daughter  a contrast  to  Captain  Swales  and 
Mr.  Stovin. — I am  taken  ill,  and  gently  nursed. — We  reach  a Port  at  last. — A De- 
scription of  Quebec. — A conversation  between  Mary  Dean  and  me. 

Chap.  XII. — I agree  to  sail  with  Captain  Dean. — An  old  Friend  re-appears. — 
He  persuades  me  to  accompany  him  up  the  Country. — I visit  the  Lakes. 

Chap.  XIII. — Return  to  Quebec. — A bitter  Disappointment. — Search  in  vain 
for  my  Friends. — Journey  through  the  Western  States. — New  Orleans.— Captain 
Hawk  of  the  Foam. — A Slaver. — Captain  Searl  of  the  Susannah. 

Chap.  XIV. — Sail  for  the-  Havana. — Captain  Hawk  keeps  his  Promise.— A Sur- 
prise.—I find  that  a Romantic  Pirate  and  a Real  Pirate  are  very  different  Persons. 
— Am  taken  Prisoner. — And  lose  sight  of  the  Susannah. 

Chap.  XV.— Life  on  board  the  Rover.— Indulge  in  the  pleasing  reflection  that 
I may  possibly  hang  as  a Pirate. — I try  to  escape. — We  chase. — We  catch  a Tar- 
tar.— Mark  Antony  tries  to  induce  me  to  turn  Pirate. — We  are  chased.— A cor. 
riderable  difference  in  tho  sensation. 

69 


PUBLISHED  BT  C.  S.  FRANCIS  & CO.,  NEW  TOB.K. 


Peter  the  Whaler. 

contents. — Continued . 

Chaps.  XVI.,  XVII.,  and  XVIII. — Adventures  among  the  Pirates. 

Chap.  XIX. — Sail  in  the  Pocahontas  for  the  North  Seas. — An  account  of  an 
American  Man-of-War. — I become  acquainted  with  Andrew  Thompson. — He  de- 
scribes Labrador  to  me. — The  History  of  Princess  Pocahontas. — A Man  over- 
board.— How  to  behave  in  the  Water. 

Chap.  XX. — Again  Terence  falls  from  aloft,  and  is  saved. — We  reach  the  North 
Sea. — The  Birds  of  those  Regions. — I am  at  the  Helm. — The  Ship  strikes  an  Ice- 
berg.— Goes  down. — The  Marines  firing  on  the  Crew. — A few  alone  escape. 

Chap.  XXI. — A Night  on  an  Iceberg. — Andrew  bids  us  trust  in  Providence. — 
Morning  dawns. — Beautiful  appearance  of  the  Iceberg. — We  find  Food. — A Sig- 
nal fixed  on  the  top  of  the  Berg. — Lose  our  Flint  and  Steel. — A novel  Burning- 
Glass. — A Raft  formed. — Some  Treasures  collected. — No  Help  arrives. 

Chap.  XXII. — Introduces  a Second  Day. — I dream  of  Home. — A Sail  in  sight, 
which  disappears.  — An  Iceberg  in  motion.  — We  try  our  Raft. — We  are  not 
seen. — A Breeze  springs  up, — The  Iceberg  capsizes. 

Chap.  XXIII.— The  Whale  Ship. — I join  her. — Description  of  a Whaler. — 
Her  Boats,  Harpoons,  and  other  Gear. — The  Crow’s-Nest. — All  ready  for  Fishing. 
— Reach  a Field  of  Ice. — Narrow  Escape. 

Chap.  XXIV. — A Visit  from  Father  Neptune. — I am  made  free  of  the  Arctic 
Regions. — “ A Fall,  a Fall !” — Our  First  Fish. — Tom  thinks  the  Ship  is  sinking. — 
Tow  our  Prize  alongside. 

Chap.  XXV. — We  secure  our  Fish.— How  to  carve  a Whale. — A Greenland 
Shark. — Arctic  Birds. — A South-Sea  Whaler. — A Bear  in  a Boat. 

Chap.  XXVI. — Joined  b>  other  Ships.— Land  seen. — Cape  Flyaway. — Danish 
Colonies. — Visited  by  Esquimaux. — We  land. — Begin  to  struggle  with  the  Ice. — 
Fishing  on  the  Ice. — Tumble  in. — Made  fast  to  an  Iceberg. — Cut  through  a Field 
of  Ice. — Preparations  for  a Nip. 

Chap.  XXVTII.— The  Nip  come. — A Ship  nipped.— Go  to  her  aid.— Rescue  our 
Countrymen. — Forecastle  Yarns  about  Shipwrecks  and  Whale-Catching. — The 
Nip  takes  off  and  we  are  free. — A Beautiful  Scene. 

Chap.  XXVIII. — Pond’s  Bay.— A run  of  Whales.— More  Fishing. — Sea  Unicorns. 
— A fast  Fish. — Leave  the  Bay.— An  Account  of  some  Arctic  Expeditions,  sent 
in  search  of  Sir  John  Fianklin  and  his  brave  Companions. 

Chap.  XXIX. — Summer  drawing  to  an  end. — Homeward  Voyage. — A Calm. — 
Ominous  Signs. — Left  on  the  Ice. — Our  Ship  disappears. — A Snow  Storm. — The 
Whale  and  Boat  lost. — We  retreat  from  the  Sea. — Build  a Hut. — A Visitor,  who 
proves  in  the  end  a welcome  one. — We  keep  watch. — We  are  in  a bad  Plight. 

Chap.  XXX. — I try  to  encourage  my  Companions. — We  cook  our  Breakfast. — 
Set  up  a Signal. — One  Ship  heaves  in  sight. — The  Floe  separates. — The  last  Ship 
appears. — We  cross  the  Channel. — Erect  another  Hut. — Catch  two  Unicorns. 

Chap.  XXXI.  — Our  Journey  continued. — A Wreck  discovered. — We  find 
Treasures  on  board. — Look  out  for  a Spot  to  land. — Fix  on  a Spot,  and  build  a 
Hut. — Go  back  to  the  Ship,  to  fetch  more  Stores. — Find  Visitors  on  board  the 
Ship. — More  Bear’s  Flesh.— Return  to  the  Bay. 

Chaps.  XXXII.,  XXXIII.,  XXXIV.— Adventures  among  the  Esquimaux. 

Chap.  XXXV. — What  Cold  is.— An  Arctic  Night. — An  Aurora  Borealis. — Es- 
quimaux hunting  Walrus  on  the  Ice.— Seal  Catching. — How  we  employed  our 
Time. — Propose  to  build  a Vessel. — Andrew  instructs  us. — Daylight  returns. 

Chap.  XXXVI. — We  begin  our  Vessel. — The  Esquimaux  regret  to  lose  us. — 
Andrew  urges  us  not  to  work  on  a Sunday.— Capability  of  the  Esquimaux  for 
receiving  the  Truths  of  Christianity.— We  complete  oyr  Vessel. — Provision  and 
store  her. — Our  Vessel  destroyed. — A Ship  in  the  Clouds. — Farewell  to  the  Es- 
quimaux.—Voyage.— Wreck.— Reach  my  Father’s  Home  a Beggar— No  one  al 
Home. — Meet  Captain  Dean. — Return  once  more  to  my  Family. 

70 


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